يا صاحِ ما أَلِفَ الإِعجابَ مِن نَفَرٍ

إِلّا وَهُم لِرُؤوسِ القَومِ أَعجابُ

O friend, none have become accustomed to praise

Except for leaders of the people, who are amazing

ما لي أَرى المَلِكَ المَحبوبَ يَمنَعُهُ

أَن يَفعَلَ الخَيرَ مُنّاعٌ وَحُجّابُ

Why do I see the beloved king prevented

From doing good by one who refuses and hides away

قَد يَنجُبُ الوَلَدُ النامي وَوالِدُهُ

فَسلٌ وَيَفسِلُ وَالآباءُ أَنجابُ

A young son may excel while his father

Fails and the fathers were once excellent sons

فَرَجِّبِ اللَهَ صِفراً مِن مَحارِمِهِ

فَكَم مَضَت بِكَ أَصفارٌ وَأَرجابُ

So abstain from God’s prohibitions, even slightly

For how many yellow moons and white moons have passed you by

وَيَعتَري النَفسُ إِنكارٌ وَمَعرِفَةٌ

وَكُلُّ مَعنىً لَهُ نَفيٌ وَإيجابُ

The soul is seized by denial and recognition

And every meaning has its negation and affirmation

وَالمَوتُ نَومٌ طَويلٌ مالَهُ أَمَدٌ

وَالنَومُ مَوتٌ قَصيرٌ فَهو مُنجابُ

Death is a long sleep that has no limit

And sleep is a short death, so it brings relief