وصحب من البيض الثياب تطلّبوا

ودادى فلم يهمم بطردهمو مجدي

They came wearing white robes, seeking friendship

Yet I cared not to banish them, nor end our bond

منحتهمو ودي فلما تملكوا

فؤادي هفوا هفو الذباب على الشهد

I gave them my affection, so when they took control

Of my heart they swarmed like flies upon honey

فما تركوا وفراً لديّ لمعتفٍ

يصان به عرضي ويورى به زندي

They left no abundance for me, no worthy man

To guard my honor and cover my flaws

فلما تولّوا بالتليد وأبصروا

فتى الجود مثل السيف سل من الغمد

When they turned to vileness and saw

A young man of generosity like a sword bare of its sheath

أباحوا حمى لا يقبل الضيم ربه

وتخشاه يوم الردع صائلة الأسد

They violated a sanctuary that accepts no humiliation, its Lord

Fearing it in days of vengeance, like a pouncing lion

لعمري لئن ولوا بوفري فاغتدوا

بطاناً وخانوا من سفاهتهم عهدي

By my life, if they took my plenty and grew arrogant

Betraying advisors and breaking their vow to me

لقد خدعوا شهماً يغرُّ على الندى

فيسخو بلا منّ ويعطى بلا وعد

They fooled a magnanimous man who rains his bounty without asking

And gives without promising, so they disavow and betray