لَبِّanswer الفضيلةَvirtue إذwhen تدعوكcalls you نعمتُهاher bounty
لَبِّ الفضيلةَ إذ تدعوك نعمتُها
واسرِجْand saddle إليهاto her جنيباًa spare steed led alongside يخطفُcaptures النظراthe gaze
واسرِجْ إليها جنيباً يخطفُ النظرا
Answer virtue when her grace calls you,
Answer virtue when her bounty calls you.
And saddle toward her a steed that steals the gaze.
And saddle a spare steed to ride to her, one that steals the gaze.
علامَwhy ترتدturn back عنهاfrom her سائراًgoing on ضجراًdiscontented
علامَ ترتد عنها سائراً ضجراً
وأنتwhile you تعتاضtake in exchange منهاin her stead بالذيfor that which خطراcame to mind
وأنت تعتاض منها بالذي خطرا
Why turn away from her and journey on in vexation,
Why do you turn away from her, going on in discontent,
While exchanging her for whatever happens to cross your path?
While you trade her for what has come to mind?
