1. Alas, O my yearning soul, what yearning is this
For the people of virtue, what yearning is this
١. أَلاّ يا لَهفَ نَفسي أَيَّ لَهفٍ
عَلى أَهلِ الفَقارَةِ أَيَّ لَهفِ
2. They have gone ahead on the path and left me behind
To lag behind in completing my affairs
٢. مَضَوا قَصدَ السَبيلِ وَخلَّفوني
إِلى خَلَفٍ مِنَ الإِبرامِ خَلفِ
3. In vain, they are never satisfied, nor do I see them
Obeying a man, even if he suffices
٣. سُدىً لا يَكتَفونَ وَلا أَراهُم
يُطيعونَ اِمرَءاً إِن كانَ يَكفي