أَفي الإِحسانِ غَرباً جاءَ جَذباً

وَعِندَ الشَرِّ ماءً في حُدورِ

Is kindness found lacking in the West, attracting blame,

While evil has water in hearts?

فَإِنَّكَ لا إِلى شُهُبِ الثُرَيّا

بَلَغتَ وَلا حُسِبتَ مِنَ البُدورِ

You have not attained the shooting stars of Thurayya,

Nor counted among the bedouins.

وَتَخمَصُ مِن مَطاعِمِها رِجالٌ

لِأَنَّ هُمومَها مِلءُ الصُدورِ

And men shy away from her banquets

For her concerns fill up chests.

وَدَفنُ الغانِياتِ لَهُنَّ أَوفى

مِنَ الكِلَلِ المَنيعَةِ وَالخُدورِ

Burying singing girls is kinder to them

Than firm boredom and cheeks.