وَقَد ذَكَّرتُ وَالتَذكارُ جُهدي

وَقَد نادَيتُ لَو سُمِعَ النَداءُ

I have reminded, though reminding tires me,

I have called out, if only my call were heard,

وَجِئتُ بِهِ وَقَد راحَ المُصَلّى

وَجِئتُ بِهِ وَقَد جاءَ المِشاءُ

I came with it, though the worshipers had left,

I came with it, though the strollers had come,

وَقَد جَفَّت غِمارُ الوِردِ مِمّا

تَزاحَمَ في مَورِدِها الدَلاءُ

The clouds of roses are dry from what

The interlopers crowded at their watering place,

فَلَو لَم يُعفِني موسى كَموسى

مِنَ السُقيا إِذا صُدِرَ الرِعاءُ

If only Moses would quench me like Moses

Did the shepherds when they were driven from the watering place,

وَلا يَمنُن عَلَيَّ فَلا اِمتِنانُ

لِمَن بِحَزائِهِ سُبِقَ العَطاءُ

And not oblige me, so I am not obligated

To one whose reward was given before the gift,

وَما تَبقى العَطايا وَهِيَ كُيرٌ

وَقَد يَبقى وَإِن قَلَّ الثَناءُ

Gifts do not remain, though they be great,

But praise remains, however small.