1. If an animal were the prey of its foe
It would avoid it like the mouse avoids the cat
١. إذا حَيَوانٌ كانَ طُعمَةَ ضِدِّهِ
تَوقَّاهُ كالفار الّذي يتَّقي الهرّا
2. And without doubt man is the prey of fate
So why, alas, does he feel safe from fate's traps
٢. ولاشَكَّ أنَّ المَرءَ طُعمَةُ دَهرِهِ
فما بالُهُ يا ويحَهُ يأمَنُ الدَّهْرا