تَعَلَّمَ طَيْفُورِي خِلاَلَ سَمِيِّه

وَإِنْ كَانَ مَنْسُوباً إِلَى غَيْرِ بِسْطَامِ

My bird learned in its cage's confinement

Though attributed to other than Bistam

وَجَاءَ فَقيِرَ الْوَقْتِ لاَبِس خِرْقَةٍ

فَلَيْسَ بِرَاضٍ غَيْرَ صُحْبَةِ صَوَّامِ

The poor-timed came wearing tattered robes

Content with none but the fasting folk's company

فَدَيْتُكَ لاَ تَرْدُدْهُ عَنْكَ مُخَيْبا

وَدَرِّسْهُ يَا مَوْلاَيَ قِصَّةَ بِلْعَامِ

I ransom you, don't disappoint him, spurning him away

Instruct him, my lord, the story of Bil'am