1. إِنَّ الفَقيرَ وَإِن نَمَت

    هُ مَكارِمٌ وَفَضائِلُ

    Indeed, the poor man—even if ennobled

    by noble qualities and virtues—

  2. لا يُستَعانُ بِهِ وَلا

    يُعبا بِما هُوَ قائِلُ

    is not called upon for help, nor

    is heed paid to what he says.

  3. لَو كانَ سَحبانَ البَلا

    غَةِ أَنكَرَتهُ وائِلُ

    Were he Sahban of elo-

    quence, Wa'il would disown him;

  4. أَو كانَ قَسّاً في الفَصا

    حَةِ قيلَ هَذا باقِلُ

    or were he Quss in elo-

    quence, it would be said: 'This is Baqil.'