إن جزت بالهرمين قل كم فيهما

من عبرة للعاقل المتأمل

If you pass by the pyramids, say how much

Wisdom is there for the thoughtful mind

شبهت كلا منهما بمسافر

عرف المحل فبات دون المنزل

I likened each of them to a traveler

Who knew the place, but stayed short of his destination

أو عاشقين وشى بوصلهما أبو

الهول الرقيب فخلفاه بمعزل

Or to two lovers whom the fearful guardian

Parted, leaving them in isolation

أو حائرين استهديا نجم السما

فهداهما بضيائه المتهلّل

Or two lost souls who sought the star of heaven

And it guided them with its gleaming light

أو ظامئين استسقيا صوب الحيا

فسقاهما عذبا روي المنهل

Or two thirsty men who asked the water of life

And it quenched their thirst from a flowing spring

يغنى الزمان وفي حشاه منهما

غيظ الحسودِ وشجرة المستثقل

Time passes, yet preserved within them still

Is the envy of foes and weights they can lift