يُفضِّلهُ على ماء الغَوادي

ندى كفَّيهِ والخُلُقُ الدَّميثُ

He prefers its dew to valley water,

The palms of his hands and his noble manners,

له دون المَعابِ وقوفُ وانٍ

وفي طلَبِ العُلى عَنَقٌ حَثيثُ

He has, without boast, a standing among the eminent,

And in seeking the height, an ambitious neck,

وزيرٌ في الثَّراءِ وفي الأعادي

بنا ئلهِ ونجدَتهِ يَعيثُ

A minister in prosperity and in enemies,

With his construction and his aid he wreaks havoc,

قَشيبُ العرْضِ لا يُرْمى بذمٍ

وعِرْضُ عَدوِّهِ سَمَلٌ رثيثُ

Of honorable lineage, he is not chided with blame,

While the lineage of his enemy is base and vile,

تضاءلُ دونهُ مُهَجُ الأعادي

فنَظْرتهُ لأنْفُسها تميثُ

Beside him the desires of enemies are paltry,

So their looks at themselves falter,

رزين العِطف تحسب أن طوْداً

بِنيقٍ منه عِمَّتَه يَلوثُ

He is dignified in his affection, so that any

Pollution by him would soil his mantle,

تركْتُ عليه غُرّاً لو زُهَيْرٌ

أصاخَ لفضلها فَمنِ البَعيثُ

I left him angry—if only Zuhair

Could sing of his superior worth—who then could match him?