دَعاني أَميري كَي أَفوهَ بِحاجَتي

دَعاني أَميري كَي أَفوهَ بِحاجَتي

فَقُلتُ فَما رَدَّ الجَوابَ وَما استَمَع

فَقُلتُ فَما رَدَّ الجَوابَ وَما استَمَع

My emir summoned me to speak of my need.

My prince called me to speak my need

So I spoke, but he gave no reply and did not listen.

But gave no answer, did not hear my plea

فَقُلتُ وَلَم أَحسُس بِشيءٍ وَلَم أَصُن

فَقُلتُ وَلَم أَحسُس بِشيءٍ وَلَم أَصُن

كَلامي وَخيرُ القَولِ ما صينَ أَو نَفع

كَلامي وَخيرُ القَولِ ما صينَ أَو نَفع

So I spoke, yet sensed nothing, and did not hold back

So tongue-tied, I sensed nor made a sound

my words—and the best speech is what is withheld or does good.

For silence is best if vain or dangerous speech

فَأَجمَعتُ يَأساً لا لُبانَةَ بَعده

فَأَجمَعتُ يَأساً لا لُبانَةَ بَعده

وَلَليأسُ أَدنى لِلعَفافِ مِنَ الطَمَع

وَلَليأسُ أَدنى لِلعَفافِ مِنَ الطَمَع

So I resolved on despair, with no desire beyond it;

So utterly hopeless, seeking help no more

And despair is surely nearer to self-restraint than greed.

Despair's less prone to shame than hope's rash reach