وَما بَعدَ مِصرٍ لِلغِنى مُتَطَلِّبٌ

وَما بَعدَ هَذا المالِ مالٌ فَيُكتَسَب

Beyond Egypt there is no wealth to seek

And beyond this wealth, no more wealth to reap

وَلَو أَنَّهُ في البَأسِ يَمضي أَوِ النَدى

لَها وَلَكِن في المَغاني وَفي الطَرَب

Though it may vanish in times of strife and woe

Music and revelry are where pleasures flow