إِذا اِنبَسَطنا رُدِدنا عَن زِيارَتِنا

إِذا اِنبَسَطنا رُدِدنا عَن زِيارَتِنا

أَوِ اِنقَبَضنا فَلَومٌ موشِكُ المَضَضِ

أَوِ اِنقَبَضنا فَلَومٌ موشِكُ المَضَضِ

If we are forthcoming, we are turned away from visiting;

When we're open, we're turned from our visit

Or if we withdraw, reproach is quick to sting.

Or if withdrawn, blame closely trails discontent

فَلَيسَ تَنفَكُّ مِن مَنعٍ وَمِن عَذَلٍ

فَلَيسَ تَنفَكُّ مِن مَنعٍ وَمِن عَذَلٍ

مِنكُم بِمُنبَسِطٍ مِنّا وَمُنقَبَضِ

مِنكُم بِمُنبَسِطٍ مِنّا وَمُنقَبَضِ

So there is no escaping refusal and reproach

So ceaseless hardship and rebuff will remain

From you, whether one of us is forthcoming or withdrawn.

From you - be we open or uptight

ماظَنُّ مُستَوهِبِ الجَدوى إِذا نَظَرَت

ماظَنُّ مُستَوهِبِ الجَدوى إِذا نَظَرَت

عَيناهُ عِندَكُمُ إِخفاقُ مُقتَرِضِ

عَيناهُ عِندَكُمُ إِخفاقُ مُقتَرِضِ

What hope has one seeking bounty, when he sees

What hope has one seeking favor, when his eyes

With his own eyes a borrower’s failure at your hands?

See but denial and refusal at your door

كُتبُ الوَزيرِ إِلى عُمّالِهِ عِوَضٌ

كُتبُ الوَزيرِ إِلى عُمّالِهِ عِوَضٌ

مِمّا تَطَلَّبتُ أَو جِنسٌ مِنَ العِوَضِ

مِمّا تَطَلَّبتُ أَو جِنسٌ مِنَ العِوَضِ

The vizier’s letters to his officials are a substitute

The minister's letters to deputies, recompense

For what I sought, or a form of compensation.

For what I sought, or of similar kind

فَلا تَضُنّوا بِإِحدى الحاجَتَينِ فَلا

فَلا تَضُنّوا بِإِحدى الحاجَتَينِ فَلا

عُذرٌ لِمانِعِ داني القَدرِ مُنخَفِضِ

عُذرٌ لِمانِعِ داني القَدرِ مُنخَفِضِ

So do not begrudge us one of the two favors, for there is no

So do not begrudge either need, for no excuse

Excuse for withholding something so modest and low in worth.

Has one of meager worth who gives too little