1. لَقد كُنتَ يا مَنصورُ تَجهَدُ في نَصري

    إِذا جِئتُ أَستَعدي إِلَيكَ عَلى دَهري

    Indeed, you used to strive, O Mansur, to come to my aid,

    whenever I came appealing to you for help against my fate.

  2. فَما الأَصلُ في قَطعِ الرُسومِ الَّتي جَرَت

    وَما السِرُّ في تَكديرِ وَصلِكَ بِالهَجرِ

    So what is the reason for ending the customs that had prevailed,

    and what is the secret of clouding your friendship with estrangement?

  3. أَجِئتُ بِذَنبٍ أَم أَتَيتُ بِزِلَّةٍ

    فَأَلقاكَ ما بَينَ التَنَصُّلُ وَالعُذرِ

    Have I come with a sin, or have I committed a misstep,

    that I must face you between denying fault and offering an apology?

  4. وَإِلّا فَكَم ضَجَّعَت في حِفظِ حُرمَتي

    وَأَهمَلتَ ما قَد كُنتَ تَرعاهُ مِن أَمري

    And if not, how often have you been remiss in safeguarding my dignity,

    and neglected the affairs of mine you once looked after?

  5. فَإِن كانَ هَذا مِن طَريقِ مَلالَةٍ

    فَإِنِّيَ مِمَّن لا يَمَلُّ مِنَ الشُكرِ

    So if this comes by way of weariness,

    then I am among those who never tire of giving thanks.