1. When I saw time delivering a speech
And its days rushing by with quick steps
١. وَلَمَّا رَأَيْتُ الدَّهْرَ يَخْطُبُ خُطْبَةً
وَأَيَّامُهُ تَعْدُو عَلَيَّ بَنَوْباتِ
2. I disobeyed an era whose course had grown bold
And pursued pleasure amid days of worry
٢. عَصَيَتُ زَماناً قَدْ تَجاسرَ صَرْفُهُ
وَأَتْبَعْتُ يَوْمَ الْهَمِّ يَوْمَ لَذَاذَاتِ
3. And I knew I was borrowed finery
To be returned to the lender in tatters
٣. وأَيْقَنْتُ أَنِّي مُهْجَةٌ مُسْتَعارَةٌ
تُرَدُّ إلى مِلْكِ الْمُعِيرِ بِغُصّاتِ
4. Oh, would that I had spent as I had resolved
To cure my heart's sickness and burning pangs
٤. فَيا لَيْتَنِي أَمْضَيْتُ مَا كُنْتُ عازماً
عَلَيْه ليَشْفِي دَاءَ صَدْري وَلَوْعاتي