قد بعثناهُ لكيْ يُجْلَى به

واضِحٌ كاللؤُلؤِ الرَّطْبِ أَغَرْ

We sent him so that by him would be made clear,

Like polished pearls glistening with dew,

طابَ منه العَرْفُ حتى خِلتُهُ

كانَ من رِيقِكَ يُسْقَى في الشَّجَرْ

The aroma of him made pleasant the atmosphere,

As though from your saliva he was watered in the trees,

وهو أغْنى عنه من عودِكَ عَنْ

رَنّةِ الناي إذا النايُ زمَرْ

And he is needless of it more than your staff

Of the flute’s tune when the flute is played,

ليتَني المُهْدَى فيروي عطشي

بَرْدُ أنيابِك في كلِّ سَحَرْ

If only I were the guided one so my thirst would be quenched

By the coolness of your fangs at every dawn,

وأما واللَّهِ لو يعلَمُ ما

حظُّهُ مِنْكَ لأثْنَى وَشَكَرْ

By Allah if he knew his share of fortune from you

He would praise and give thanks.