لُمتُ الزَمانَ عَلى تَأخيرِ مُطَّلَبي

فَقالَ ما وَجهُ لَومي وَهُوَ مَحظورُ

I blamed fate for delaying what I seek

It said, why blame me for what is forbidden?

فَقُلتُ لَو شِئتَ ما فاتَ الغِنى أَمَلي

فَقالَ أَخطَأتَ بَل لَو شاءَ سابورُ

I said, had you wished, my hope would not have passed in vain

It said, you erred; nay, had Sapur willed.

عُذ بِالوَزيرِ أَبي نَصرٍ وَسَل شَطَطاً

أَسرِف فَإِنَّكَ في الإِسرافِ مَعذورُ

Seek aid from the vizier Abu Nasr and pursue your fancies

Indulge yourself, for in indulgence you have excuse

وَقَد تَقَبَّلتُ هذا النُصحَ مِن زَمَني

وَالنُصحُ حَتّى مِنَ الأَعداءِ مَشكورُ

I have long accepted this advice from my time

Advice is welcomed even from enemies.

وَما لِطَرفِ رَجائي عَنكَ مُنصَرِفُ

وَهَل يُفارِقُ جُرمُ المُشتَري النورُ

My hopeful glances cannot turn away from you

Can a purchased slave leave the light?