ألمDo ... not? تعلمواyou know أنيthat I وإنeven though قلis scant شكركمyour gratitude
ألم تعلموا أني وإن قل شكركم
لأعراضكمfor your honor واقa guardian أحوطI protect وأمدحand I praise
لأعراضكم واق أحوط وأمدح
Do you not know that, though your gratitude is scant,
Do you not know that even if I rarely thank you
I guard your honor, protect you, and praise you?
For your good turns, I take the greatest care and sing your praises,
وكمand how much سقتI conveyed فيin آثاركمyour tracks منof نصيحةcounsel
وكم سقت في آثاركم من نصيحة
وقدand sometimes يستفيدearns الظنةsuspicion المتنصحthe one offering counsel
وقد يستفيد الظنة المتنصح
And how much counsel I have sent in your wake—
And how much advice I have poured in your footsteps,
Yet one offering counsel may earn suspicion.
So those who are advised may benefit.