أَيُّها الشَيخُ المُعَل

لِلُ نَفسَهُ وَالشَيبُ شامِل

O wise old man

To whom self has been lost and greyness enveloping,

وَاللَيلُ يَطوي لا يُفَت

تَر وَالنَهارُ بِكَ المَنازِل

And the night folds you in, it will not relent,

You see, and the day drives you from one stage to the next.

اِعلَم بِأَنَّكَ نائِمٌ

فَوقَ الفِراشِ وَأَنتَ راحِل

Know that you sleep

Above the mattress yet departing,

يَتَعاقَبانِ بِكَ الرَدى

لا يَغفَلانِ وَأَنتَ غافِل

Taking turns over you, the days and nights

Sleep not, while you remain asleep.