طربتُ بفاثور وما كدتُ أطربُ

طربتُ بفاثور وما كدتُ أطربُ

سفاهاً وقد جرّبتُ فيمن يجرّبُ

سفاهاً وقد جرّبتُ فيمن يجرّبُ

I rejoiced at Fathur, though I could scarcely rejoice,

I was enraptured by youth, but youth barely enraptured me,

Foolishly, though I had gained experience among those who gain it.

Foolishly, though I tried with one who tries,

وجرّبتُ ماذا العيشُ إلا تعلّةٌ

وجرّبتُ ماذا العيشُ إلا تعلّةٌ

وما الدهرُ إلا منجنونٌ يقَلّبُ

وما الدهرُ إلا منجنونٌ يقَلّبُ

And I learned by experience: what is life but a diversion?

And I tried: what is life but ailing?

And time is nothing but a turning waterwheel.

What is time but a madman overturning?

وما اليومُ إلا مثل أمس الذي مضى

وما اليومُ إلا مثل أمس الذي مضى

ومثل غد الجائي وكلٌّ سيذهبُ

ومثل غد الجائي وكلٌّ سيذهبُ

And today is but like yesterday, which has passed,

Today is just like yesterday that passed,

And like tomorrow yet to come—and all will pass away.

And like tomorrow that comes, and all will go.