إِن أَكُن خبتُ أَو حُرِمتُ فَما ذا

كَ عَلى المَطلَبِ الكَريمِ بِعارِ

If I have failed, or been denied—what of it?

There is no shame in seeking a noble prize.

يُحرَمُ اللَيثُ صَيدَهُ وَهوَ مِنهُ

بَينَ حَدِّ الأَنيابِ وَالأَظفارِ

The lion may be denied its prey, though it lies within reach,

between the points of its fangs and claws.

وَيَزِلُّ السَهمُ السَديدُ عَن القَص

دِ وَما زَلَّ عَن يَمينِ السِوارِ

The true-flying arrow may veer from its aim,

though it flew true from the warrior’s right hand.

لَيسَ كُلُّ الأَقطارِ يَروى مِنَ الغَي

ثِ وَإِن عَمَّها بِصَوبِ القِطارِ

Not every tract of land is watered by the rain,

though it sweeps them all with a shower of drops.

إِن تَخُنّي رِشاءَ دَلوي فَقَد أَح

كَمتُ إِكرابَهُ بِعَقدٍ مُغارِ

If the rope of my bucket betrays me, I have

secured its fastening with a tightly twisted knot.

أَو يَعُد فارِغاً إِلَيَّ فَما أَل

قَيتُ إِلّا إِلى المِياهِ الغِزارِ

Or if it comes back to me empty, I cast it

only into abundant waters.

كَم شَريفٍ ما فِعلهُ بِشَريفٍ

وَغَنِيٍّ من نَفسُهُ في اِفتِقارِ

How many a noble man has done what is not noble,

and how many a rich man’s soul remains in want;

وَرَفيعُ المَكانِ وَهوَ وَضيعٌ

وَلَئيمُ الأَخلاقِ حُرُّ النِجارِ

and one high in station is himself base,

while one vile in character is noble in stock.

إِن أَساءَ الزَمانُ بي فَلَقَد أَح

سَنتُ صَبراً وَما أَساءَ اِختِياري

If Time has treated me ill, I have shown

fine patience, and my choice was not at fault.

لَيسَ حَمدي وَلَيسَ ذَمِّيَ إِلّا

بَعدَ صَبرٍ وَبَعدَ طولِ اِختِبارِ

I neither bestow praise nor utter blame except

after patience and prolonged examination.