1. وَخِلٍّ كُنتُ عَينَ الرُّشد مِنهُ

    وَمُستَمِعا إِذا ذَكَروا سَميعا

    And a friend—I was his eye of sound judgment,

    And a listener, keen of hearing whenever they spoke.

  2. أَطاف بغَيّة فَنهيت عَنها

    وَقُلتُ لَهُ أَرى أَمراً فَظيعا

    He drew near to folly, so I warned him against it,

    And told him, “I see something dreadful.”

  3. أَرَدتُ رَشادَه حَتّى إِذا ما

    عَصى أَمري أَبَيناه جَميعا

    I sought his right guidance, until, when

    He defied my command, we both rejected it.