كرمتyou have been generous وسدتand attained eminence فالجدوىso the bounty انتهابplundering
كرمت وسدت فالجدوى انتهاب
إذاwhen زرناكwe visit you والمدحand praise اقتضابُimprovisation
إذا زرناك والمدح اقتضابُ
You are generous and eminent: your bounty is there for the taking
You were generous and giving, so gratitude is incumbent
When we visit you, and praise comes extempore.
When we visit you, praise should be brief
أخوانa dining table? وماand not أبقيتyou have kept مالاwealth
أخوان وما أبقيت مالا
وأبوابand doors وقدand already رفعwas lifted الحجابthe veil
وأبواب وقد رفع الحجاب
A dining table, though you have kept no wealth?
Brothers, and you left no possessions behind
And doors, though the veil has been lifted?
Doors, but the veil has been lifted