أَلا إِنَّما الدُنيا مَطِيَّةُ راكِبٍ

أَلا إِنَّما الدُنيا مَطِيَّةُ راكِبٍ

عَلا راكِبوها ظَهرَ أَعوَجَ أَحدَبا

عَلا راكِبوها ظَهرَ أَعوَجَ أَحدَبا

Behold, this world is but a rider's mount;

Alas, the world is but a rider's steed

Its riders have mounted the back of a crooked, humpbacked beast.

Its riders perched upon a crooked back

شُموسٌ مَتى أَعطَتكَ طَوعاً زِمامَها

شُموسٌ مَتى أَعطَتكَ طَوعاً زِمامَها

فَكُن لِلأَذى مِن عَقِّها مُتَرَقِّبا

فَكُن لِلأَذى مِن عَقِّها مُتَرَقِّبا

Unruly—whenever it willingly gives you its reins,

Though it may willingly give you its reins

Then be watchful for harm from its defiance.

From its harm, remain ever wakeful and wary