in this letter i will mention poems that i have said about what i have seen. do not deny you or anyone who has seen them that i have followed the path of someone who talks about himself. this is the way of those who are adorned with poetry. moreover my brothers force me to speak about what is presented to them according to their methods and schools of thought. it is enough for me to mention to you what has presented itself to me that is similar to what i have tended toward and is appropriate to me.
سأورد في رسالتي هذه أشعارا قلتها فيما شاهدته، فلا تنكر أنت ومن رآها علي أني سالك فيها مسلك حاكي الحديث عن نفسه، فهذا مذهب المتحلين بقول الشعر، وأكثر من ذلك فإن إخواني يجشمونني القول فيما يعرض لهم على طرائقهم ومذاهبهم. وكفاني أني ذاكر لك ما عرض لي مما يشاكل ما نحوت نحوه وناسبه إلي.