ومملك أبصرتهُ

مستعملا خلقا شنيعا

I saw a king,

Using vile manners,

متعظما بثيابه

للمجد مطرحا مضيعا

Glorifying himself with his clothes,

Neglecting glory, gone astray.

يمشي ويشمر باليدي

ن لشحّه عبدا مطيعا

He walks arrogantly waving his hands,

His stinginess made him an obedient slave.

فأجبته بضمائري

لو كان معتبرا سميعا

I answered him in my conscience:

If only he were reasonable and listening!

ربي وربّك واحدٌ

والأرض تحملنا جميعا

My Lord and your Lord is one,

And the earth carries us all,

والموت ينصف بيننا

إمّا بطيئا أو سريعا

And death makes us equal,

Whether it comes slow or fast.