أَرومُ العُلا وَالدَّهْرُ يُزجِي خُطوبَهُ

إِلَيَّ بإِحْدى المُعْضِلاتِ القَواصِم

I strive for the heights, while fate brings me

One of its harshest trials, to break my will;

وَتَصْحَبُني سَمْراءُ ظَمْأَى لَدى الوَغَى

وَأُعْرِضُ عَنْ بَيضاءَ رَيّا المَعاصِمِ

A dark-skinned thirsty one accompanies me in the fray,

While I turn away from a white-cheeked sheltering maiden.

وَمَنْ طَلَبَ العَلْياءَ لَمْ يَخَفِ الرَّدى

فَمِنْ دونِ ما يَبْغِيهِ حَزُّ الغَلاصِمِ

He who seeks the heights does not fear destruction,

So let the snarling watchdogs howl beyond his goal!