1. The bees have come to their hive,
Buzzing bee, for whom do you toil?
١. قَد غَدَتِ النَحلُ إِلى نورِها
وَيحَكِ يا نَحلُ لِمَن تَكسِبين
2. The tax collector comes with his tools,
He takes the honey and you take nothing.
٢. يُجيءُ مُشتارٌ بِآلاتِهِ
فَيَلسَبُ الأَريَ وَلا تَلسِبين
3. Do you think life is about knowledge?
No, you live yet reckon nothing.
٣. أَتَحسَبينَ العُمرَ عِلماً بِهِ
لا بَل تَعيشينَ وَلا تَحسَبين
4. What news do you have of ancestors?
How many fathers' times do you trace?
٤. هَل لَكِ بِالآباءِ مِن خِبرَةٍ
كَم والِدٍ في زَمَنٍ تَنسِبين
5. Do you think time is forgetful?
Alas, things are not as you reckon.
٥. أَتَحسَبينَ الدَهرَ ذا غَفلَةٍ
هَيهاتَ ما الأَمرُ كَما تَحسَبين