1. Oh, how I wish I knew how many a death was destined
For me, and how many another the Fates went past.
١. يا لَيتَ شِعري وَكَم مِن مُنيةٍ قُدِرَت
وِفقاً وَأُخرى أَتى مِن دونِها القَدَرُ
2. And how the sleek and plump, though wrinkles now infest him,
Bears yet his frame erect and walks the plain unbowed -
٢. وَمُضمَرِ الكَشحِ يَطويهِ الضَجيعُ لَهُ
طَيَّ الحِمالَةِ لا جافٍ وَلا فَقِرُ
3. Two mates, alike unmarred, towering to view,
Still rightly paired in height and slenderness.
٣. لَهُ شَبيهانِ لا نَقصٌ يَعيبُهُما
بِحَيثُ كانا وَلا طولٌ وَلا قِصَرُ