أخي لا تؤاخذني وإن كان لي ذنب

فجرم الفتى في السكر داعية العذرِ

My brother, do not blame me, even if I am at fault,

For the sin of a young man in drunkenness calls for excuse.

وحسبك ظني أنني كنتُ مجرماً

على خَبَرٍ فيه اعتذرت على خُبرِ

And it suffices you to think that I was a sinner

Based on news for which I have apologized for Khubar.

فها أنا ذا أدرى بعُذري من الذي

جَناه عليَّ السُّكرُ إذ أنا لا أدري

So here I am, more knowing of my excuse than he who

Drunkenness brought upon me, since I do not know.

وإن كان شِعري قد أتاك بزلةٍ

فقد جاء يستعفيك من ذنبه شعري

And if my poetry has come to you with a slip,

It has come to ask your pardon for its sin, my poetry.

فدونك عذراً قام فكري بصنعه

على أن ذنبي لم يحس به فكري

So you have an excuse my mind has created,

Even though my mind did not feel my sin.