أبدين وصلا إذ رحمن متيما

أبدين وصلا إذ رحمن متيما

وأرين هجرا إذ خشين مراقبا

وأرين هجرا إذ خشين مراقبا

They showed affection when they pitied a lovesick man,

I show affection when Compassionate is forbearing

And showed estrangement when they feared a watcher.

And I show estrangement when Vigilant is fearful

فنظمن من در المباسم جامدا

فنظمن من در المباسم جامدا

ونثرن من در المدامع ذائبا

ونثرن من در المدامع ذائبا

So they strung solid pearls from smiling mouths,

So I compose frozen pearls from the lips

And scattered liquid pearls from tearful eyes.

And I scatter melting tears from the eyes

كم قائل ورأى حجاه مدبرا

كم قائل ورأى حجاه مدبرا

من بعد ما لاقى نداه واهبا

من بعد ما لاقى نداه واهبا

How many have said, seeing his wisdom direct affairs,

How many a sayer has seen his supporter turn away

After encountering his bounty as it bestowed gifts:

After he found him a granter

ذا جود من نسي العواقب عزة

ذا جود من نسي العواقب عزة

وسداد من قبل الأمور تجاربا

وسداد من قبل الأمور تجاربا

"This is the generosity of one who forgets consequences out of pride,

Of generosity he who forgets consequences is dignified

And the sound judgment of one who has faced affairs as trials."

And composure he who faces matters experienced

يا سيدا لسنا نرى بفنائه

يا سيدا لسنا نرى بفنائه

في الناس إلا راغبا أو راهبا

في الناس إلا راغبا أو راهبا

O lord, in whose courtyard we see none

O Master we see not in his demise

Among men but those who hope or fear,

Among people other than a coveter or a recluse

لولاك لم تكن الرياض خلائقا

لولاك لم تكن الرياض خلائقا

للآدمين ولا البحار مواهبا

للآدمين ولا البحار مواهبا

But for you, gardens would not be character traits

Were it not for you, gardens would not exist

Of humankind, nor seas their gifts.

For mankind, nor seas as gifts