Ode XXXI: A cousin I have, and for

A cousin I have, and for all the likeness between us in mood, we are at odds — I hate him, and he in turn hates me.

What prompts our dislike is that ever between us estrangement grows, and he thinks me beneath him, and I think the same of him.

O 'Amr, if thou leavest not abuse and detraction of me, I will smite thee in that place where the owl cries ' Give me to drink ! '

By God ! my cousin, thou art not better in stock than I, nor art thou my ruler and judge, to order my ways at thy will.

Thou feedest not my household in days of hunger and dearth, nor dost thou come to my help when hard things press me sore.

For me, my door (by thy life !) is never shut to a friend, nor is aught that I expend a boon of burdensome weight ;

Nor does my tongue wag freely against my nearest kin with words unseemly, nor is my stroke one not to be feared.

I guard my respect without greed, and when in any land I fear to be shent, I abide not there to face disgrace.

Away — keep thou to thyself! my mother was not a slave to tend the pregnant she-camels, nor canst thou cheat my wits.

Some day at last comes a man to be known for the man he is, though long he may feign a nature that is not the truth of his life.

Before things base I am stubborn: nought will I yield to the vile: unsmirched my honour, the trust of fathers who stood unstained.

And ye — though ye be a kin a hundred in number or more, join hands, unite all your strength, outwit me if ye can !

Then, if ye know the right way, take it and travel therein : or, if ye know it not, then come ye to me and be schooled.

What care I — -though ye be men of ancient and noble stock — that I love you not, since ye have no love to spare for me?

If ye were to gulp down my blood, it would not slake your thirst ; and if I should drink the blood of you all, I should still be dry.

Yea, God knows me, what I am, and God knows you, what ye are, and God will requite you of me, and me will requite of you.

Time was I gave you my counsel and lent you the best of my love, in spite of that which I knew was fixed in your secret heart.

Harshness from you will but sharpen the edge of my disdain : I shall not be soft but to him who himself is soft to me.