أرى الدهر يسعى في عوائق مطلبي

أرى الدهر يسعى في عوائق مطلبي

ويزوى مرامي في حواء جنابه

ويزوى مرامي في حواء جنابه

I see Time striving to obstruct my quest,

I see time striving against the obstacles of my desire,

And my aim is hemmed in within the enclosure of its domain.

And my intentions fading into the emptiness of its sides.

وكم في الليالي لا رعى الله عهدها

وكم في الليالي لا رعى الله عهدها

عوائق مطل عن حوائج نابه

عوائق مطل عن حوائج نابه

And how many, in the nights—may God not preserve their covenant—

And how many are the nights, may God not tend to their covenant,

Are hindrances of delay obstructing a distinguished man's needs!

With obstacles that distract from the attainment of its wants.