إذا نلتَ مأمولاً على رأس برهةٍ

حسبْتُك قد أحرزت غُنماً من الغُنمِ

If you obtain a long-awaited wish suddenly,

I think you have gained some gains.

ولم تذكر الغُرْم الذي قد غرمْتَهُ

من العُمُر الماضي ويا لك من غُرْمِ

But you forgot the losses you had incurred

previously, oh how much loss!

رأيتُ حياةَ المرء رهناً بموته

وصحَّتَهُ رهناً كذلك بالسُّقمِ

I saw a person's life hostage to his death,

and his health likewise hostage to illness.

إذا طاب لي عيشي تنغصتُ طيبه

بصدق يقيني أن سيذهبُ كالحُلمِ

If my living becomes pleasant, I spoil its pleasure

with my sincere belief that it will disappear like a dream.

ومن كان في عيشٍ يراعي زواله

فذلك في بؤسٍ وإن كان في نُعمِ

And whoever lives while minding its passing

is in misery even if amidst bounty.