مديحُك مَن تطالبُ منه رِفداً

مديحُك مَن تطالبُ منه رِفداً

هجاء منك فيه بالضميرِ

هجاء منك فيه بالضميرِ

Your praise of one from whom you seek a gift

Your praise from one you ask to add his stream

is, in your heart, a satire of him;

Your censure wounds the soul and self-esteem

لأنك لم تثِقْ منه بمجدٍ

لأنك لم تثِقْ منه بمجدٍ

يَنوب عن المديح ولا بِخير

يَنوب عن المديح ولا بِخير

for you did not trust in his nobility

For you trust not in him, that he has pride

to take the place of praise, nor in his goodness.

To take the place of praise, or aught beside