مدحتُكم للودِّ لا لرَغيبَةٍ

وشَتَّانَ ما بين الرَّغائبِ والوِدِّ

I praised you out of affection, not out of greed,

For there's a great difference 'twixt affection and greed.

فجُدتم ولم أُقدم على ردِّ جودكم

مخافَة أنْ أرْمى بداهيةِ القِدِّ

You were generous, yet I did not repay your kindness,

Fearing to cast the pearl of praise before the swine.

ونفَّرتم أنس القوافي وقد دنتْ

إليكم دُنوَّ العاطشاتِ من الورْدِ

You shunned the delight of rhymes though they approached you

Like thirsty ones seeking the rose's perfume.

ولما رأيتُ المدحَ فيكم فريضَةً

تحرَّجت من أخذ الجزاء على الحمد

When I saw praise was a duty owed you,

I felt shame at taking reward for lauding you.

فقُلْ لرئيس الدين ما لي وللندى

وحاجات نفسي منك في طلب المجد

So say to the leader of faith I want from you,

Neither dew nor glory my soul covets from you.