تأخر عن كتبي الجواب وإنّما

تأخر عن كتبي الجواب وإنّما

تأخر برد الماء عن كبدٍ حرَّى

تأخر برد الماء عن كبدٍ حرَّى

The reply to my letters is late; yet it is only

The reply to my letters was delayed, yet

Water’s coolness that is late in reaching a parched liver.

The delay was but as water's chill to a fevered liver.

فلا تفسدن عشرين ألفاً وهبتها

فلا تفسدن عشرين ألفاً وهبتها

بعشرين حرفاً كلامك تُستمرى

بعشرين حرفاً كلامك تُستمرى

So do not spoil the twenty thousand you bestowed

So do not spoil the twenty thousand you have granted

Over twenty letters—your words are being sought.

With twenty words for which your speech continues.