جاءَت إلى المملوك من مولى له

أبيات شعر راق حسن خطابها

There came to this servant, from a master of his,

verses of poetry whose gracious discourse gave delight.

رقت معانيها وألغز لفظها

وزها على القرطاس رسم كتابها

Their meanings were subtle; their wording, all enigmas,

and the form of their script gleamed upon the paper.

تذر الفرزدق حائراً متبلداً

ولبيد أبلد عن فصيح جوابها

They leave al-Farazdaq bewildered and stupefied,

and Labid too dull to offer them an eloquent reply.

وتخط مقدار الخطية لفظها

لما غدا متجانساً متشابها

Their wording outstrips the measure of the Khaṭṭī spear,

once it has grown consonant and self-resembling.