1. لِمَن أُعاتِبُ مالي أَينَ يُذهَبُ بي

    قَد صَرَّحَ الدَهرُ لي بِالمَنعِ وَالياسِ

    Whom do I reproach? What ails me? Where am I being taken?

    Time has spoken plainly to me of denial and despair.

  2. أَبغي الوَفاءَ بِدَهرٍ لا وَفاءَ لَهُ

    كَأَنَّني جاهِلٌ بِالدَهرِ وَالناسِ

    I seek loyalty in an age that has no loyalty,

    As though I knew nothing of time and people.