يا مَنْ لَهُ مِنْ ذِهْنِهِ

سَيْفٌ أَحَدٌ منَ الْبَواتِرْ

O you whose mind wields a sharp sword

Finer than the blades of renowned warriors

ما اسْمُ ثُلاثِيٍ مُسَمَّ

سَيْفٌ أَحَدُّ منَ الْبَواتِرْ

What is the name of this famed trilogy?

A sword sharper than the blades of renowned warriors

وبِقَلْبِهِ داءُ الْقُلو

بِ بدُونِ نُكْرٍ منْ مُناكِرْ

And whose heart harbors the malady of hearts

Without shame of abominations

وإذا تَصَرَّفَ خِلْتَهُ

طَوْعَ الْقِيادِ لِكُلِّ شاعِرْ

And when he wields control

Bends all poets to his will

وإذا أُزيلَتْ عَيْنُهُ

فالقَلْبُ زَلَّ وسَلْ وناظِرْ

And when his gaze is removed

The heart falters, slips, and watches

وافاكَ لُغْزٌ وَهْوَ تَصْ

رِيحٌ بما فيهِ نُحَاوِرْ

Woe to you! Your raving is but

An empty wind carrying idle chatter

ما بَعْدَ ذَا التَّصِريحِ في

كَشْفِ الْمُرادِ قَفُلْ وبَادِرْ

After this candid exposition

Of the true intent, close and desist