وَاللَه ما هِمتُ حَظا بِاِسمِ داعِيَة

وَاللَه ما هِمتُ حَظا بِاِسمِ داعِيَة

اِلّا وَأَعقَبَ فيها الهَم مِن أَسفي

اِلّا وَأَعقَبَ فيها الهَم مِن أَسفي

By God, never have I yearned for fortune in the name of a cause,

By God I have not sought a portion under the name of fortune,

without sorrow ensuing in it from my grief.

Except that anxiety has followed it in which my soul sighs deeply,

وَلا سَعيت بِأَقوى العَزم في أَرَب

وَلا سَعيت بِأَقوى العَزم في أَرَب

اِلّا رَجَعت طَريح الاِرضِ في دَنَف

اِلّا رَجَعت طَريح الاِرضِ في دَنَف

Nor have I pursued a desire with the strongest resolve,

Nor have I striven with the strongest determination for success,

without returning cast upon the earth in wasting sickness.

Except I have returned prostrate on the ground in misery.