1. O you who ask about my state
Do not ask about what saddens me
١. يا سائِلي عَن حالَتي
لا تَسأَلَن عَمّا يَغُمُّ
2. About those youths of noble traits
Whose talents did encompass me
٢. عَمّا المُصابُ بِفِتيَةٍ
كانَت مَواهِبُهُم تَعُمُّ
3. And after them I found a folk
Who are to time's heart a constant woe
٣. وَحَصَلتُ بَعدَهُم عَلى
مَن هُم لِقَلبِ الدَهرِ هَمُّ
4. A folk whose fingers are like pebbles
And their faces like rocks hewn hard and slow
٤. قَومٌ أَنامِلُهُم حَصىً
وَوُجوهُهُم صَخرٌ أَصَمُّ