قال بَعضُ اللِّئام إِذْ أَبْطأَ الأَكـ

قال بَعضُ اللِّئام إِذْ أَبْطأَ الأَكـ

ـل عليْنا ودمْعُه مَسجُومُ

ـل عليْنا ودمْعُه مَسجُومُ

One of the misers said, when the meal was delayed

Some vile men said, when food was scarce to get:

for us, his tears streaming:

"My kitchen's padlocked fast just like my face,

مَطْبخي مُقْفلٌ كوجْهِيَ حَزْماً

مَطْبخي مُقْفلٌ كوجْهِيَ حَزْماً

ورَغِيفي كدِرْهمي مَخْتُوم

ورَغِيفي كدِرْهمي مَخْتُوم

“My kitchen is locked, like my face, as a precaution,

My loaf of bread like silver coin is stamped

and my loaf, like my dirham, is sealed.”

And sealed up safe in case of foul disgrace."