مَدحْتُه يوماً فنِلْتُ الغِنَى

مَدحْتُه يوماً فنِلْتُ الغِنَى

بالوعدِ والإحْسانِ مِن فِيهِ

بالوعدِ والإحْسانِ مِن فِيهِ

I praised him once, and so gained riches—

I praised him one day and so gained wealth

promises and bounty, all from his lips.

Through promises and generosity from his mouth.

فقال لي لمَّا تَقاضَيْتُه

فقال لي لمَّا تَقاضَيْتُه

كِذْبٌ بكِذْبٍ لا رِبَا فِيهِ

كِذْبٌ بكِذْبٍ لا رِبَا فِيهِ

Then, when I pressed him to make good, he said:

He said to me, when I pressed him for payment:

“A lie for a lie—there’s no usury in that.”

A lie for a lie—there is no interest in it.