رأيتُ عواريَّ الليالي مُعَادةً

إليها فلا تَرْجُ البَقاءَ لما تُرْجي

I saw the naked nights restored

to them, but they hope not for permanence in that they desire,

ولم تَتْركِ الأيامُ للنَّمْرِ جلدَهُ

فتأمُلَ أن تُبقِي على صاحب السَّرجِ

And the days have not left the leopard his coat.

So think not that you can preserve your companion on his charger.

أواخرُ دهرٍ أشبهتْ في فَسادِها

أوائِلَها ما أشبَهَ الشَّرْجَ بالشَّرْجِ

The ends of a time in their corruption

resembled its beginnings. How like is sore to sore!