Sol 5.6

  1. He remembered Umaymah from afar, then checked himself and came to his senses

    on her account, after much lamentation and prolonged sobbing.

  2. Indeed, a man who has experienced Time yet does not fear

    the reversals of its two ages is surely no man of sense.

  3. Are Time and the days anything but—as you see—

    the loss of wealth or parting from a beloved?

  4. And all that is yet to come—you are its kinsman;

    but you are kin to nothing that has gone.

  5. No coming thing is far away—it is like one drawing near;

    nor is any gladdening thing that has passed near.

  6. Never, for all your days, despair of a spiteful foe’s affection,

    nor ever feel secure against a beloved’s estrangement.

  7. By my life, if I revile you, my reviling of you

    is no secret, nor is my advance against you a stealthy crawl.

  8. Nor is your affection, in my eyes, a precious treasure to be jealously hoarded,

    nor is your foul abuse, in my eyes, a fearsome blade.

  9. When you divide your father’s inheritance among yourselves,

    do not bring me near: I have already exhausted my share.

Sol 5.6