كم أسدٍ رُوِّع بالشبلِ

كم أسدٍ رُوِّع بالشبلِ

فيها وحافٍ فاقَ ذا نعلِ

فيها وحافٍ فاقَ ذا نعلِ

How many a lion has been cowed by a cub

Many a lion was terrified by the cub

therein, and many a barefoot man has outstripped the shod;

therein, and many a barefoot man surpassed one shod.

وكم سريٍّ بحره زاخرٌ

وكم سريٍّ بحره زاخرٌ

وكم فضيلٍ فازَ بالفضلِ

وكم فضيلٍ فازَ بالفضلِ

And many a noble soul—his sea brimming over;

And many a noble man—his sea is overflowing;

and many a man of merit has attained distinction.

and many a virtuous man has triumphed through merit.