أيضيع مثلي عند اسماعيلا

وهو ابن أحمد ابن إسماعيلا

Would one like me be neglected by Ismail,

when he is the son of Ahmad, son of Ismail?

ابوان لم أسالهما في حاجة

ف رضى امرء باسماعي لا

Two fathers: never did I ask them for a favor,

only to have a man content himself with making me hear 'no'.

بل لو اعرض في التغزل بي

فقرو لي صبر بإسماعيلا

Rather, were there to appear, wooing me,

poverty—and I had patience at being told 'no'—

لتماطرت بالجود لي تنويلا

منكم سجايا لم تكن تنوى لا

they would shower me with generous gifts:

those qualities of yours that never intended 'no'.