لا خَيرَ فيكَ سِوى كَلامٍ طَيِّبٍ

وَمَواعِدٍ تُدني وَفِعلٍ يُبعِدُ

There is no goodness in you but kind words,

Promises that draw near and deeds that distance,

وَأُبُوَّةٍ في تَغلِبٍ لَو أَنَّها

لِلكَلبِ كانَ الكَلبُ فيها يَزهَدُ

And a domineering fatherhood - if it were

For a dog, even a dog would spurn it.