1. My critic says to me, though she knows not
What tomorrow or the day after holds,
١. وَتَقولُ عاذِلَتي وَلَيسَ لَها
بِغَدٍ وَلا ما بَعدَهُ عِلمُ
2. That wealth alone makes one immortal. But
Man's day is darkened by impending death.
٢. إِنَّ الثَراءَ هُوَ الخُلودُ وَإِنَّ
المَرءَ يُكرِبُ يَومَهُ العُدمُ
3. Though I erect a lofty palace where
None can ascend save mounting eagles,
٣. وَلَئِن بَنيتُ إِلى المُشَقَّرِ في
هَضبٍ تُقَصِّرُ دونَهُ العُصمُ
4. Yet death will excavate in search of me,
For God's decree cannot reversed be.
٤. لَتُنَقِّبَن عَنّي المَنِيَّةُ إِنَّ
اللَهَ لَيسَ لِحُكمِهِ حُكمُ