وَكانَ النَّاسُ إذْ مُدِحُوا أَثابُوا

ولِلكُرَماءِ بِالمَدْحِ افتِخارُ

When people were praised, they'd repay

The generous took pride in accolades

وَكانَ العُذْرُ في وَقْتٍ وَوَقْتٍ

فصِرْنا لا عَطَاءُ ولا اعتِذارُ

Excuses had their time and place

Now there's neither gifts nor saving face