صَحِيفةٌ طابَعُها اللُّومُ

عُنوانُها بالجهلِ مَختومُ

A paper whose attribute is blame

Its title sealed with ignorance

أَهداكَها والخُلفُ في طَيِّها

والمَطلُ والتَّسويفُ واللومُ

He gifted it while treachery was in its folds

Procrastination, delay, and blame

من وجهِهِ نَحْسٌ ومَن قُربِهِ

رِجْسٌ ومن عِرفانِهِ شُومُ

From his face misfortune, and from his nearness

Wickedness, and from his acquaintance evil

لا تَهتضِمْ إن بتَّ ضَيفاً له

فخُبزُهُ في الجوفِ هاضُومُ

Do not choke if he becomes your guest

For his food in the gut is corrupted

تَكْلمهُ الأَلحاظُ من رقَّةٍ

فهْوَ بلحْظِ العَينِ مَكْلومُ

His glances gently converse

Yet with the eye's glance he is blamed

لا تَأْتدِمْ شَيئاً على أَكلهِ

فإنَّهُ بالجوعِ مَأدومُ

Do not blame anything for his eating

For he with hunger is subdued