1. بَعدَ التحيّة والثناءِ العاطرِ

    وَدعاءِ ودٍّ مِن صميمِ الخاطرِ

    After greetings and fragrant praise,

    and a prayer of affection from the depths of the heart,

  2. أُنهي بأنّكمُ اِقتَرحتم مطلباً

    واللّه ليسَ لدى الودود بحاضرِ

    I inform you that you have requested something

    which, by God, your loving friend does not have at hand.

  3. وَأَنا بقيدِ تألّمٍ من نزلةٍ

    عُوفيتمُ ما أن يزال مساوري

    And I am fettered by suffering from a cold;

    may you be kept well—it still assails me.

  4. فَاِبسط ليَ العذرَ الجميلَ معَ الدعا

    حتّى يُوافيكم بِأيمن طائرِ

    So grant me gracious pardon, along with prayers,

    until it reaches you with the most auspicious omen.