1. O Sebta, home of the most melodious musicians who have passed
Whose tales of renown have perfumed the air

2. Why has time cast its dust over your dwelling
Causing sojourners to depart and your beauty to fade

3. Where are the salons, the horsemen, the schools
No longer do scholars gather in study

4. Where are the great navies, their wakes flowing
Like thunderous waves crashing on the shore

5. Where are the wise men whose thoughts would lead
To solutions, when problems confound

6. Twisting eloquent words into sweet honey
Flowing smoothly over their lips

7. They have passed on, no slopes in earth remain
To stop fate, no curves in sky to divert its arrow

8. You have been betrayed by time, no more does your charm
Fill hearts as it did, for those who dwelt here have gone

9. All things decay when nights toy with them
And time marches on leaving naught behind

10. Perhaps one day a noble knight will revive
For after hardship comes the easing