لَقَد دُفِعنا إِلى حالَينِ لَستُ أَرى

ما بَينَ ذاكَ وَهَذا حَظَّ مُختارِ

We are pushed toward two states, I do not see

Between them an envied fate's selection.

إِمّا المُقامِ عَلى خَوفٍ وَمَسبَغَةٍ

أَوِ الرَحيلِ عَنِ الأَوطانِ وَالدارِ

Either to stay, living in fear and darkness,

Or to leave, departing from home and abode.

وَالمَوتُ أَيسَرُ مِن هَذا وَذاكَ وَما

كَربُ المَماتِ وَلا في المَوتِ مِن عارِ

And death is easier than both, nothing of

Death's agony, nor in it shame or disgrace.

مَن جاوَرَ الأُسدَ لَم يَأمَن بَوائِقَها

وَلَيسَ لِلأُسدِ إِبقاءٌ عَلى الجارِ

He who dwelt near lions did not feel safe

From their sudden attacks. Lions do not spare a neighbor.