وَإِنَّما الشِعرُ لُبُّ المَرءِ يَعرِضُهُ

وَإِنَّما الشِعرُ لُبُّ المَرءِ يَعرِضُهُ

عَلى المَجالِسِ إِن كَيساً وَإِن حُمُقا

عَلى المَجالِسِ إِن كَيساً وَإِن حُمُقا

And poetry is but a man's intellect, which he displays

Poetry is but the heart's urge that prompts one

Before gatherings, be it wisdom or folly.

To recite it in assemblies, wise or dull,

وَإِنَّ أَشعَرَ بَيتٍ أَنتَ قائِلُهُ

وَإِنَّ أَشعَرَ بَيتٍ أَنتَ قائِلُهُ

بَيتٌ يُقالَ إِذا أَنشَدتَهُ صَدَقا

بَيتٌ يُقالَ إِذا أَنشَدتَهُ صَدَقا

And the most poetic verse you utter

And the most eloquent line of verse you've said

Is a verse of which, when you recite it, people say, 'He spoke the truth.'

Is that whose truth is vouched for when recited.