لي صاحِبٌ إِن خانَني دَهري وَفى

لي صاحِبٌ إِن خانَني دَهري وَفى

وَإِذا تَكَدَّرَتِ المَناهِلُ لي صَفا

وَإِذا تَكَدَّرَتِ المَناهِلُ لي صَفا

Though fortune betrays me, I have a companion who stays true,

I have a friend who stays true if my fortune betrays me;

and when the springs run turbid for me, he runs clear.

And when the watering places grow murky, he remains pure for me.

تَبدو مَحَبَّتُهُ وَيَظهَرُ وُدُّهُ

تَبدو مَحَبَّتُهُ وَيَظهَرُ وُدُّهُ

نَحوي إِذا ما الوُدُّ بِالمَلقِ اِختَفى

نَحوي إِذا ما الوُدُّ بِالمَلقِ اِختَفى

His love reveals itself, and his affection shows

His love is evident, and his affection shows

toward me when affection is veiled by flattery.

Toward me, when affection is hidden by flattery.

أَجفو فَيَمنَحُني المَوَدَّةَ طالِباً

أَجفو فَيَمنَحُني المَوَدَّةَ طالِباً

قُربي وَأَمنَحُهُ الوِدادَ إِذا جَفا

قُربي وَأَمنَحُهُ الوِدادَ إِذا جَفا

I turn cold; he offers me affection, seeking

I am aloof, yet he grants me affection, seeking

my nearness—and I offer him devotion when he turns cold.

My closeness; and I grant him love when he is aloof.

كُلٌّ يَقولُ لِصاحِبي عِندي يَدٌ

كُلٌّ يَقولُ لِصاحِبي عِندي يَدٌ

إِذ كانَ لي دونَ الأَنامِ قَدِ اِصطَفى

إِذ كانَ لي دونَ الأَنامِ قَدِ اِصطَفى

All say my companion has done me a kindness

Each says: "My friend has done me a favor,

when, out of all mankind, he has chosen me.

For he had chosen me above all humankind."