إن صَدَّ عنِّي الزَّمانُ وَجهاً

إن صَدَّ عنِّي الزَّمانُ وَجهاً

من المعَالي فَلي وُجُوهُ

من المعَالي فَلي وُجُوهُ

If Time turns away from me one face

If time turns its face from me

Of lofty honor, I have many faces.

I have faces enough for all eternity.

أو قَطَّبَ الدَّهرُ فابنُ بِشرٍ

أو قَطَّبَ الدَّهرُ فابنُ بِشرٍ

يَلقاكَ من وَجههِ أبُوهُ

يَلقاكَ من وَجههِ أبُوهُ

Or if Fate frowns, then Ibn Bishr—

If life treats me severely

His father greets you from his face.

one like you still smiles on me paternally.

مَن قاسَمَالجُودَ ما حَواهُ

مَن قاسَمَالجُودَ ما حَواهُ

كأنَّما جودُه أخُوهُ

كأنَّما جودُه أخُوهُ

He who shared with Generosity what he possessed,

He who shares his wealth around

As though his generosity were his brother.

might be said to be its brother.