ونهج سعت إليك فيه طرائف

فبرزت إذ خافت وخابت سعاته

A path I took towards you, lined with subtle charms,

But when its efforts faltered, it emerged in alarm.

بذلت به الدر المصون لأروع

تصدق دعوى المادحين هباته

I spent on it a guarded pearl, the finest,

Believing the claims of those who gifted it their praise.

تجنبت مطروق الكلام وهذه

سلافة ما أنشأته وابتداته

I avoided the trite, so this is an eloquence

Pure in its making, flawless in its foundations.

ولم أر مثل الشعر يرجو بغاثه

مطاراً بجو قد حمته بزاته

Never did I see the like of poetry that hoped for aid

Soaring in a sky it heated with its own warmth.

توهم قوم أنه الوزن وحده

وقد غاب عنهم سره وسراته

Some thought it was meter alone,

Oblivious to its secret and mysteries.

فذلك لون الماء في العين واحد

وما يتساوى ملحه وفراته

That is like water's hue, one in the eye,

Not equal in its saltiness and Euphrates.

متى رمت منه رقة وجزالة

فإن كلامي ماؤه وصفاته

When it exudes gentleness and vigor,

My words are its water and attributes.

وغير بهيم الخط شعر أقوله

وأوصافكم أوضاحه وشياته

Unlike the inanity of calligraphy, the poetry I speak

Your virtues are its illumination and features.