1. Man was not created but to be afflicted
By days of misery and days of bliss
١. وما خُلقَ الإِنْسان إِلا لِيَنْطوي
عَلَيْهِ مِنَ الأَيّامِ بُؤْسى وأَنْعُمُ
2. Had it not been for the spite of my detractor
I would have galloped like a surging sea
٢. ولَوْلا اخْتياري حاسِدي صُلْتُ صَوْلَةً
تَروحُ وماءُ البَحْرِ مِنْ هَوْلِها دَمُ
3. O you who reprehend me in your ignorance
The ignorant exceed briefly then regret
٣. ويأَيُّها المُسْتامُ حَرْبي بِجَهْلِهِ
وذو الجَهْلِ يَغْلو ساعَةً ثُمَّ يَنْدَمُ
4. When our procession reaches the prince
No fault can be found in fate we know
٤. إِذا وَصَلَتْنا بِالأَميرِ رِكابُنا
فَلَيْسَ لَنا عَتَبٌ عَلى الدَّهْرِ يُعْلَمُ
5. Though we fortified hope with its rope
We are protected by the stars' decree
٥. وإِنْ نَحْنُ أَعْصَمْنا الرَّجاءَ بِحَبْلِهِ
فَإِنّا بِأَمْراسِ الكَواكِبِ نُعْصَمُ
6. However we turned our eyes upon him
The full moon, sea, and clouds appeared
٦. ومِنْ أَيِّ وَجْهٍ وَاجَهَتْهُ عُيونُنا
تَبَدّى لَها بَدْرٌ وبَحْرٌ وضَيْغَمُ
7. He flows like clouds' downpour cloaked
And prides in stars like a crowned king
٧. سَمّاحٌ بِتَيّارِ الغَمامِ مُسَرْبَلٌ
وفَخْرٌ بِلأَلآءِ النُّجومِ مُعَمَّمُ
8. While you know you haven't reached him yet
You still aspire and make great efforts
٨. وشانيكَ يَدْري أَنْهُ غَيْر بَالِغٍ
مَداكَ ولَكِنْ يَرْتَجي ويُرَجِّمُ
9. Your exalted sea though lofty, if it dares
To reach the spinning celestial sphere, won't be saved
٩. طَما بَحْرُكَ السَّامي عَلَيْهِ فَلَوْ لَجا
إِلى الفَلَكِ الدَّوّارِ ما كَانَ يَسْلَمُ
10. When in the frenzy of battle spears clash
They straighten crooked ribs through you
١٠. إِذا انْآَدَتِ الأَرْماحُ في هَبْوَةِ الوَغى
غَدَتْ بِكَ في عَوَجِ الضُّلوعِ تُقَوَّمُ
11. The stars that determine our destiny divided us
We undertake from them like they undertake from us
١١. سُرىً قاسمتنا الأَيْنَ فيها رِكابُنا
تَجَشَّمُ مِنْها مِثْلَما نَتَجَشَّمُ
12. They roam mountains reaching the horizon
While below them crows circle in the air
١٢. تَجوبُ جِبالاً تَبْلُغُ الأُفْقَ رِفْعَةً
ومِنْ دونِها العُقْبانُ في الجَوِّ حُوَّمُ
13. When we ascend rocks become stairs
Leading to almond trees and tangled brambles
١٣. إِذا ما عَلَوْنا فَالصُخورُ لِوَطْئِنا
مَراقٍ إِلى الجَوْزاءِ والطَّوْدُ سُلَّمُ