تُحاوِلُ شَيئاً قَد تَوَلّى فَوَدَّعا

وَهَيهاتَ مِنهُ أَن يَعودَ فَيَرجِعا

You're trying for something that has turned away, so bid farewell

Alas, it won't return or come back

خَشُنتَ عَلى التَأديبِ فَهماً وَمَنطِقاً

وَلِنتَ عَلى الأَيّامِ ليتاً وَأَخدَعا

You've become harsh in discipline, mind and speech

You've become gentle with days, wishing and being deceived

وَأَقبَلَتِ الأَيّامُ تَرتادُ مَصرَعاً

لِجَنبِكَ فَاِرتَد إِذ تَيَقَّنتَ مَضجَعا

And the days have come to seek a place

For your side, so turn back now that you've realized a resting place