متى ما أقل يوماً لصاحبِ حاجةٍ

نعم أقضها قِدماً وذلك من شكلي

Whenever I say to someone in need, "Yes,

I will grant your request immediately, as is my way,"

وإن قلت لا بتُّتها من مكانها

ولم أُوذِه فيها بجرٍّ مَطل

And if I say "No" outright and do not

Bother to soften it with gentle words,

ولَلَبَخلة الأولى أقلُّ ملامةً

من الجود بدءاً ثم تثنيه بالبخل

Then for initial stinginess I deserve less blame

Than generosity at first and then withdrawing it through stinginess.