1. Time refused to make me feel ashamed and regretful,
And erase the sin which I had earlier committed,
١. أَبى الدَهرُ أَن يَقنى الحَياءَ ويندما
وَأن يَمحوَ الذَنبَ الَّذي كانَ قَدَّما
2. And make his face meet my words of reproach
With an excuse covering both his cheeks.
٢. وَأَن يَتَلَقّى وَجهُ عَتبيَ وَجهُهُ
بِعُذرٍ يُغشِّي صَفحَتَيهِ التَذَمُما
3. After me you will know whose swords
To every rugged place of your heights are a ladder.
٣. سَتَعلَمُ بَعدي مَن تَكونُ سُيوفُهُ
إِلى كُلِّ صَعبٍ من مراقِيكَ سُلّما
4. You will return if you try aggression without me
More reluctant than the one challenged to fight.
٤. سَتَرجِعُ إِن حاوَلتَ دونيَ فَتكَةً
بِأخجَلَ مِنهُ المُبارز أَحجَما