أَقولُ لِركب قافِلين رَأَيتَهُم

قِفا ذات أو شال وَمَولاك قارِب

I say to a caravan I saw them stopping,

Whether early or late, and your destination is near.

قَفوا خبروني عَن سُلَيمان إِنَّني

لِمَعروفِه من آل وَدّان طالِب

Stop and tell me about Suleiman, for I

Seek his favors, being of his family and kinsmen.

فَعاجوا فَاِثنوا بِالَّذي انتَ اهلِه

وَلَو سَكَتوا اِثنت عَلَيكَ الحَقائِب

They hesitated, then praised the one you deserve,

Even if they stayed silent, the saddles would have praised you.

فَقالوا تَرَكناهُ وَفي كل لَيلَة

يَطيفُ بِهِ من طالِبي العُرفِ راكِب

We left him while each night

A seeker of favors rides to visit him.

وَلَو كانَ فَوقَ الناسِ حَيّ فعالَه

كَفعلِكَ او لِلفِعل مِنهُ يُقارِب

Had he been alive and acted as you do,

Or done deeds that resemble yours,

لَقُلنا لَهُ شِبه وَلكِن تَعذَّرت

سَواكَ عَلى المُستَشفِعين المَطالِب

We would have said he resembles you, but none

Other than you gratifies those seeking favors.

هُو البَدر وَالناسُ الكَواكِب حَولَه

وَهَل تشبِه البَدر المُنيرِ الكَواكِب

He is the moon while people are stars around him,

And can the bright moon be compared to stars?