مَلَكنا الهَوى حيناً وَكانَ وَكانا

مَلَكنا الهَوى حيناً وَكانَ وَكانا

فَأَرخَصَنا دَهرٌ فَكَيفَ تَرانا

فَأَرخَصَنا دَهرٌ فَكَيفَ تَرانا

For a time we held love in our power—and what was, was.

Passion ruled us for a time, and this and that came to pass.

Then Fortune held us cheap—so how do you see us now?

Then time cheapened us—so how do you see us?

أَلَم نَتَلَقَّ الحادِثاتِ بِصَبرِنا

أَلَم نَتَلَقَّ الحادِثاتِ بِصَبرِنا

وَكَم جازِعٍ لِلحادِثاتِ سِوانا

وَكَم جازِعٍ لِلحادِثاتِ سِوانا

Did we not meet calamities with steadfast patience?

Did we not face misfortunes with our patience?

And how many besides us have quailed before calamities!

And how many besides us are distraught by misfortunes!