1. Neither Huwai nor Amr attained immortality,
And does anyone last, however long their life?
١. عَزاءً فَلَم يَخلُد حُوَيٌّ وَلا عَمرُو
وَهَل أَحَدٌ يَبقى وَإِن بُسِطَ العُمرُ
2. Time will consume us all, and those we see,
Yet things do not cease, nor can time itself be consumed.
٢. سَيَأكُلُنا الدَهرُ الَّذي غالَ مَن نَرى
وَلا تَنقَضي الأَشياءُ أَو يُؤكَلَ الدَهرُ
3. Most states of man are a nature
That goes astray when thought reflects upon its essence.
٣. وَأَكثَرُ حالاتِ اِبنِ آدَمَ خِلقَةٌ
يَضِلُّ إِذا فَكَّرتَ في كُنهِها الفِكرُ
4. So he rejoices at what is lent a little while,
And grieves for what becomes his own possession.
٤. فَيَفرَحُ بِالشَيءِ المُعارِ بَقاؤُهُ
وَيَحزَنُ لَمّا صارَ وَهوَ لَهُ ذُخرُ
5. Clothe yourself in the garb of patience, for after your praised son, patience remains your son.
The Merciful has not made desolate the abode of His servant
٥. عَلَيكَ بِثَوبِ الصَبرِ إِذ فيهِ مَلبَسٌ
فَإِنَّ اِبنَكَ المَحمودَ بَعدَ اِبنِكَ الصَبرُ
6. When he sees his reward and his companion is recompense.
٦. وَما أَوحَشَ الرَحمَنُ ساحَةَ عَبدِهِ
إِذا عايَنَ الجُلّى وَمُؤنِسُهُ الأَجرُ