1. If an opportunity arises against your enemy,
Pounce and seize it like a hungry jackal,
١. إِذا ما تَأتتِ في عَدوك فُرصَةٌ
فَثب وَاِنتَهزها وَثبة الضَيغم الأَشَر
2. Do not be like the man who left a thief
To see what he would do, and fell asleep unawares,
٢. وَلاتك مثل المَرء أَمهل لصه
لِيَنظر ما يَقضي فَنامَ وَما شعر
3. And spent the whole night lost in his sea of slumber,
Not waking until the thief had made off with his belongings.
٣. وَخاضَ جَميع اللَيل في بَحر نَومه
وَلَم يَنتبه حَتّى قَضى لَصه الوَطر