1. إذا جِئتم نقومُ لكم حُفاةً

    وإن جِئنا تَزَحزَحتُم قليلا

    When you come, we rise for you barefoot;

    yet when we come, you shift aside a little.

  2. فإن كنتم ذوي أدبٍ وعِلمٍ

    وذِكركُم سَرى عَرضاً وطُولا

    For if you possess refinement and knowledge,

    and your renown has spread far and wide,

  3. فقد قال الأنَامُ كذاكَ فِينا

    ومَن يَقوى على أن لا يَقولا

    then people have said the same of us—

    and who could refrain from saying so?

  4. لقد كُنَّا وكان الوُدُّ منا

    تَزول الرَّاسياتُ ولن يَزولا

    Indeed, there was a time when our affection was such

    that the steadfast mountains might vanish, yet it would not.

  5. لقد كُنَّا وكان الوُدُّ منا

    نَسيماً في الِّرياضِ سَرى عَليلا

    Indeed, there was a time when our affection was

    a gentle breeze wafting through the gardens.

  6. لقد كنا وكان يُرَى كِلانا

    خَليلاً لا يَرى إلا خَليلا

    Indeed, there was a time when each of us was seen

    as a close friend who saw only a close friend.

  7. نَصولُ بِذِكرِكُم في كلِّ نادٍ

    فَنذكُركم لِكَى بكمُ نَصولا

    We boast by mentioning you in every gathering,

    so we mention you, that through you we may boast.

  8. صِفاتُكَ في المجالِسِ كم عَقَدنا

    لها الأبوابَ مَدحاً والفُصولا

    Your qualities—how often in gatherings have we composed

    chapters and sections in their praise!

  9. وطرفُ وِدادِنا أضحى كَلِيلا

    فإن هو مِن عُداةٍ فَلتَدَعني

    And the eye of our affection has grown dim.

    So if this is due to enemies, then let me

  10. أُمَزِّقُ عِرضَهم عَرضاً وطولا

    وإن هو من وُشاةٍ فَلتَدَعني

    tear their honor apart, crosswise and lengthwise.

    And if this is due to talebearers, then let me

  11. أضَغضِغُ في حناجِرهم نُصولا

    وإن بقيت بِقلبكمُ علينا

    work blades back and forth in their throats.

    And if there remain in your heart toward us

  12. بقايا لست أرغبُ أن تَزولا

    any remnants, I do not wish them to vanish.