أُفنوا الذَخائِرَ فَالقَضاءُ مُجَهِّزٌ

أَجنادَهُ لِخَبيئَةِ المِذخارِ

They squandered their treasures, so fate makes ready

Its hosts for the hiding place of the hoard.

لا تَسخَرَنَّ فَما الزَمانُ وَأَهلُهُ

إِلّا سَرابُ تَنوفَةٍ مِسخارِ

Do not scoff, for time and its people

Are but a mirage of the meadows of deception.

إِفخَرهُمُ وَلَو أَنَّهُم ذَهَبٌ صَفا

ذَهَبوا فَكَيفَ وَهُم مِنَ الفَخّارِ

They boasted, though they were naught but pure gold;

How then when they are but of pottery?

إِنَّ السَماءَ تَهَذَّبَت أَنوارُها

وَتَخَلَّفوا بِالأَرضِ شَرَّ بُخارِ

The heavens adorned themselves with their lights,

While they lagged on earth, evil vapors.

وَالخَيرُ قَد يَأتي أَخيراً مِثلَ ما

أَجناكَ يَنعُ النَخلَةِ الميخارِ

Though good may come late, like the date-wine

That ripens on the date-palm in late harvest.