وصاحبينِ تمادى جمعُ شملهما

وصاحبينِ تمادى جمعُ شملهما

كأنما الدهرُ يخشى أن يصدّعهُ

كأنما الدهرُ يخشى أن يصدّعهُ

And two companions whose bond has long endured,

Two companions whose friendship lasts for long

as though Time fears to sunder it.

As if time itself fears their bond being torn

إذا بغى واحدٌ وجهاً فصاحبهُ

إذا بغى واحدٌ وجهاً فصاحبهُ

من شأنه الدهر أن يمضى فيتبعهُ

من شأنه الدهر أن يمضى فيتبعهُ

Whenever one seeks a destination, his companion

If one turns his face the other follows along

is ever in the habit of setting out and following him.

Such is the way of time it continues its course

كأنهُ ظلّهُ ما أن يفارقهُ

كأنهُ ظلّهُ ما أن يفارقهُ

إمّا مقيماً وإمّا سائراً

إمّا مقيماً وإمّا سائراً

As though he were his shadow, never leaving him,

As if he were his shadow never to part

whether staying put or traveling.

Whether settled or on a journey afar