أَلاَ في الأَوَّلِ الماضي اعِتبارُ

لِذي عَقلٍ أَخي فَهمٍ بَصيرِ

Alas! Lessons from the past for one with intellect,

My wise and insightful brother.

تَخَيَّرَ لِلوزارةِ مَن رعَاه

بإِشفاقٍ ونُصحٍ في الأُمورِ

He appointed ministers who served with care

And gave good counsel in all affairs,

وَحِصنٍ سَرَّهُ فَعَلاَ مَهيباً

يُجازي القُلَّ بالَحجمِ الكَثيرِ

And a fortress whose secret he exalted;

It stands imposing, matching great with small

مِنَ الإِحسانِ والإِكرامِ فِعلاً

يُزانُ بهِ إلَى يَومِ النُّشُورِ

In kindness and honor, deeds recorded

To be weighed on Resurrection Day.

وأَنفَقَ ما أَفادَ بِحُسنِ هَديٍ

وتَقديرٍ بِلا سَرَفٍ مُبيرِ

He spent what he gained, guided well,

With due measure, never to excess.

وأَجمَلُ في الرَّعيَّةِ منهُ رَأياً

كَفَاهُ عِلمَ أَخبارِ الخَبيرِ

Noblest among the flock his vision:

Knowledge of the news of The Expert sufficed.

يُلاِحظُ مَن دَنَا بِثَبَاتِ ذِهنٍ

فيَعلَمُ بِالضَّميرِ هَوَى الضَّميرِ

He observed those brought near with steady mind

And so learned the heart’s longing for the heart.

وواتاهُ الزَّمَانُ فعاشَ دَهراً

مَنيعاً في السُّهولِ وفي الوُعور

Time attended him, and he lived long,

Impregnable in the easy and the rough,

ولَم يَمنَعهُ تَدبيرٌ وحَزمٌ

مِنَ الَموتِ الُمَنغِّص للسُّرور

Unprotected by cunning and caution

Against death that sours all joy.

ومَا يَبقَى عَلَى الأَيَّامِ باقٍ

سِوىَ ذي العِزَّةِ الرَّبِّ القَديرِ

Of all that remains across days remaining

Only The Mighty Lord, The Almighty, endures.