1. صَفَتْ خَوَاطِرُ مَدَّاحٍ صَفَتْ لَهُمُ

    مَوارِدُ الجُودِ مِن قَومٍ بِهِمْ ذُكِروا

    Clear grew the thoughts of praise-poets, for whom ran clear

    The wellsprings of bounty from people made renowned through them.

  2. وَأَيقَظَتهمْ أَيَادِيهِمْ فَسَارَ لَهُمْ

    مَدْحٌ تَحلَّتْ بهِ الأَيَّامُ والسِّيَرُ

    And their patrons’ favors roused them, so in those patrons’ honor spread

    Praise with which the days and chronicles adorned themselves.

  3. وَلَوْ رَأَوْا مَن رَأَيْنا قالَ قائلُهُمْ

    لَوَ أنَّهُمْ ضُرِبُوا بالسَّيْفِ ما شَعَرُوا

    And had they seen those whom we have seen, their spokesman would have said:

    “Even if struck with the sword, they would not compose a verse.”