سليمان هل حررت في نظمنا نكد

سليمان هل حررت في نظمنا نكد

على أننا لسنا بأهل لذاكا

على أننا لسنا بأهل لذاكا

Suleiman, have you noted vexation in our verse,

Solomon, have you composed in our rhymes spite

though we are not worthy of that?

That we are not worthy of such?

وجدت بلاغة وأي بلاغة

وجدت بلاغة وأي بلاغة

تدل على أن البليد سواكا

تدل على أن البليد سواكا

I found eloquence—and what eloquence!—

I found eloquence, and what eloquence!

showing that the dullard is someone other than you.

It shows that the slow-witted is none but you.

فلولا ولولا منك فرط مودة

فلولا ولولا منك فرط مودة

لما قلت مما قلت فاستر أخاكا

لما قلت مما قلت فاستر أخاكا

So, were it not—and were it not—for your great affection,

If not for, if not for, your excessive affection

you would not have said what you said; so shield your brother.

You would not have said what you said, so cover your brother.

أقول بصدق لا مداهنة أرى

أقول بصدق لا مداهنة أرى

جريراً لنظمك العجيب حباكا

جريراً لنظمك العجيب حباكا

I speak truthfully, without flattery: I see

I say truthfully, not flattering, I see

that Jarir has favored you for your wondrous verse.

Jarir to your wondrous poetry entwined.

الا قل بحق يا سليمان واجتنب

الا قل بحق يا سليمان واجتنب

مقاله حب قد أردت هداكا

مقاله حب قد أردت هداكا

Now speak truthfully, O Suleiman, and avoid

Unless you say truthfully, O Solomon, and avoid

his words of affection; I have wished to guide you.

Talk of love you wanted to guide you.

لقد قلت حقا واجتنبت تملقا

لقد قلت حقا واجتنبت تملقا

ومع ذا فلم أظفر بنيل رضاكا

ومع ذا فلم أظفر بنيل رضاكا

I have indeed spoken truly and avoided flattery,

Indeed you spoke truth and avoided flattery

and yet I have not succeeded in gaining your approval.

Yet I did not succeed in attaining your satisfaction.

فلو قلت حقا ما مدحت أخا كسل

فلو قلت حقا ما مدحت أخا كسل

ومع ذاك لم تعلم عيوبا أراكا

ومع ذاك لم تعلم عيوبا أراكا

Had you spoken truly, you would not have praised a brother of sloth;

For if I spoke truthfully, I would not praise a lazy brother

and yet I see you have not recognized any faults.

And with that, you would not know the flaws I see in you.

وأنت أحق لو وجدت فصاحة

وأنت أحق لو وجدت فصاحة

وعلما ولم أبلغ لمدح علاكا

وعلما ولم أبلغ لمدح علاكا

And you are more deserving of praise—if only I had eloquence

And you are most deserving, if you found eloquence

and learning; yet I have fallen short of praising your eminence.

And knowledge, and I do not reach praising your summit.

فلا تغترر واعلم بأني عاجز

فلا تغترر واعلم بأني عاجز

كسول أخو نوم فأعذر أخاكا

كسول أخو نوم فأعذر أخاكا

So do not be deceived, and know that I am incapable,

So do not be deceived, and know that I am incapable,

lazy, a brother of sleep; so excuse your brother.

A lazy brother of sleep, so excuse your brother.

ومرني ومر من كان مثلي عاجزا

ومرني ومر من كان مثلي عاجزا

بجد وعزم يرتقي لسماكا

بجد وعزم يرتقي لسماكا

And command me, and command whoever is incapable like me,

And guide me, and guide whoever is like me, incapable,

to diligence and resolve, so he may rise to your sky.

With diligence and resolve to ascend to your sky.