قلتُ لِطَرْفِ الطَّبعِ لّما جرى

قلتُ لِطَرْفِ الطَّبعِ لّما جرى

ولم يُطِعْ أمري ولا زَجري

ولم يُطِعْ أمري ولا زَجري

I said to the quick edge of my talent, when it began to flow,

I said to the steed of natural talent when it ran,

yet obeyed neither my command nor my rebuke:

And obeyed neither my command nor my rebuke:

مالكَ لا تجري وأنتَ الّذي

مالكَ لا تجري وأنتَ الّذي

تحوي مدى الغاياتِ إذْ تجري

تحوي مدى الغاياتِ إذْ تجري

“Why do you not flow, when you are the one

“Why do you not run, when you are the one

who, as you flow, encompasses the furthest ends?”

Who reaches the farthest goals when you run?”

فقالَ لي دعْني ولا تُؤْذِني

فقالَ لي دعْني ولا تُؤْذِني

حتَّى متى أجري بلا أجرِ

حتَّى متى أجري بلا أجرِ

It said to me, “Leave me be, and do not torment me—

It said to me, “Leave me be, and do not trouble me.

how long must I keep flowing without reward?”

How long must I run without pay?”