مَن ظَنَّ صَفوَ الدّهرِ أَضحى مُخطِئاً

وَأَخا الجَهالَةِ عادِمَ الأَنظارِ

Whoever expects the purest time to last is mistaken,

And a brother of ignorance, lacking insight.

لا تَرجُ صَفوَ الدّهرِ يا خِدْنَ الحِجَى

فَالدّهرُ مَطبوعٌ عَلى الأَكدارِ

Do not expect the purest time, O sheltered one.

For time is imprinted with troubles.