يا خَيرَ مَن لَبِسَ النِعالَ وَخَيرَ مَن

وَطِىءَ التُرابَ وَخَيرَ مَن سَكَنَ الدُنا

O best of those who donned sandals and best

Of those who tread the dust and best of those who lived humbly

يا مَن إِذا حَلَّ المُؤَمِّلُ جودَهُ

بِفَنائِهِ يَوماً فَقَد بَلَغَ المُنا

O you, when the hopeful relied on your generosity

And spent a day in your courtyard, he attained what he wished

يا اِبنَ الَّذي خَضَعَت لِعِزَّةِ بَأسِهِ

مُضطَرَّةً بيضُ الصَوارِمِ وَالقَنا

O son of one whose might made the bright swords

And spears bow down submissively

أَيَجوزُ أَن أَغشى حِماكَ فَأَنثَني

صِفراً يَدي وَيَداكَ مَلأى بِالثَنا

Is it proper that I visit your sanctuary and kneel before you

With empty hands while yours are filled with bounty?

أَو هَل يَليقُ بِمِثلِ جودِهِ أَن يَرى

حِرمانَ مَن أَمسى بِشُكرِكَ مُعلِنا

Or is it fitting that your generosity should see

One made wretched through thanking you spend the night despairing?

وَإِذا اِكتَسَيتَ مَدائِحي وَعَريتُ عَن

الطافِ بِرِّكَ فِالجَوادُ إِذاً أَنا

When you are clothed in my praises and the mantle

Of your kindness I strip off, then for generosity I am renowned

ما لي غَرَستُ مَدائِحي وَسَقَيتُها

ماءَ الوَلاءِ وَما حَصَلتُ عَلى جَنا

Why did I plant my praises and water them

With the water of loyalty and reap no harvest?