أَرى الناسَ قَد مَلّوا الفِعالَ وَلا أَرى

بَني خَلَفٍ إِلّا رَواءَ المَوارِدِ

I see people have grown weary of good deeds, yet

I see no sons of successors except seekers of favors.

إِذا نَفَعوا عادوا لِمَن يَنفَعونَهُ

وَكائِن تَرى مِن نافِعٍ غَيرِ عائِدِ

When they do good, they return to those they benefited,

Yet how often you see a benefactor who does not return.

إِذا ما اِنجَلَت عَنهُم غَمامَةُ غَمرَةٍ

مِنَ المَوتِ أَجلَت عَن كِرامٍ مَذاوِدِ

When the clouds of death's deluge are lifted from them

Noble souls are uncovered from deep graves.

تَسودُ غَطاريفَ المُلوكِ مُلوكُهُم

وَما جِدُهُم يَعلو عَلى كُلِّ ماجِدِ

Kings inherit the thrones of kings before them,

Yet their excellence rises not above each noble soul.