وَوَغْدٍ حَديثٍ بِالخَصاصَةِ عَهْدُهُ

أَلَظَّ بِهِ الإِثْراءُ حَتَّى تَبَذَّخا

With the dawn of a new day he boasts of valor,

Though great wealth has made him haughty and vain.

وَعاشَ أَبُوهُ دَهْرَهُ لِلْخَنى أَباً

وَمُلِّيَ جَدّي عُمْرَهُ لِلْعُلا أَخا

His father lived out his days in dishonor,

My grandfather his years in pursuit of gain.

وَما كانَ عِرْنينُ امْرِئٍ هُوَ مِثْلُهُ

لِتَنْفُخَ فيهِ الكِبْرِياءُ وَيَشْمَخا

No man's character was ever quite the measure

Of his, for pride to inflate and greatness feign.

وَأَيُّ لَئيمٍ لا يُصَعِّرُ خَدَّهُ

إِذا افْتَرَّ عَمَّا زَحْزَحَ الشِّدَّةُ الرَّخا

What base wretch would not bow his head in shame

If freed from woes that all self-esteem drain?

فَطَأْطأَ بِيضُ الهِنْدِ مِنْ نَخَواتِهِ

وَبي يُخْطَم الأَنْفُ الأَشَمُّ إِذا انْتَخى

The Indian lily hangs its head though spotless,

My proud nose is slapped if I act disdain.