بادرَ الكأس على علمٍ بها

بادرَ الكأس على علمٍ بها

أَنَّها منَّا إليه تُصْرَفُ

أَنَّها منَّا إليه تُصْرَفُ

He hastened to the cup, knowing

He proffered the goblet knowingly

that it was being passed from us to him.

That it flows to him from us

ناسبتْ غُرَّ ثناياه التي

ناسبتْ غُرَّ ثناياه التي

قد صفا جوهرهنَّ القَرْقَف

قد صفا جوهرهنَّ القَرْقَف

The wine matched his gleaming front teeth, whose

It suited the folds of his cheeks, which

substance was pure.

Had clarified their essence through training

فرأى السرعةَ منه نحوها

فرأى السرعةَ منه نحوها

أبداً والفضلُ فيه يُعْرف

أبداً والفضلُ فيه يُعْرف

So he saw fit to hasten toward it

He saw the haste from it towards him

always—and his excellence is recognized.

Always, and merit within him is known

وكذاك الفضلُ لن يُنْكِرَه

وكذاك الفضلُ لن يُنْكِرَه

منه إلا حاسدٌ لا يُنْصِف

منه إلا حاسدٌ لا يُنْصِف

And likewise, none will deny his excellence

And so is merit not denied of him

save an envious man who is unfair.

Except by an envious one who is unfair