1. Is time anything but today, yesterday, or tomorrow?
Thus time oscillates between us,

2. Returning to us night after day.
Neither do we remain nor does time cease.

3. We have a term, whether it ends or continues,
And we follow its traces.

4. O people of Thu'al, my people, I make no pretense;
I rely on none but them, nor do I depend on others.

5. With their help I repel the evil of assemblies,
And the slippery rogue turns away from me.

6. So wait, may I ransom you today, O my mother and aunt,
Let not the vile command me with cowardice

7. When I have been cowardly and my side has weakened,
I endure the night that has wearied me when I was infirm.

8. Did she leave her abode before me,
Can one who disdains harm and sinking persist?

9. One who is insolent with the spear, apart from his friends-
I disciplined him with the sword while people watched.

10. He fell on his boiling forehead in protection
To death, driven by the calamity like a peg.

11. I did not shoot him until I removed his quiver
Until the garment of death covered his dark complexion.

12. I swear I will not walk to the secret of a neighbor
As long as the pigeons coo,

13. Nor will I acquire money through deceit knowingly.
Behold, every money mixed with deceit is bitter.

14. If some money is interest to its people,
Then my money, thank God, is pure.

15. It relieves the helpless and is spent virtuously,
And given when the stingy driveling one is expelled.

16. When the wretched miser's fire goes out,
I say to those who pray by my fire, kindle

17. Expand a little, or suffice us,
And its kindler is the most gentle and praiseworthy.

18. Thus are the affairs of people, content with humbleness,
And aspiring to the highest branch.

19. Among them is a generous man whom I revolve around,
And among them is a miserable man, always frowning.

20. One called me, so I answered him,
Does anyone but the apathetic spurn callers?