مِن أَحسَنِ الدَهرِ وَقتاً ساعَةٌ سَلِمَت

مِنَ الشُرورِ وَفيها صاحِبٌ حَدَثُ

The finest time is an hour when we're spared

From evil deeds, and a friend is near,

أُعجَب بِدَهرِكَ أولاهُ وَآخِرِهِ

إِنَّ الزَمانَ قَديمٌ سِنُّهُ حَدَثُ

Marvel at life's beginning and end-

Time itself is ancient, though each day seems new,

أَودى رَداهُ بِأَجيالٍ فَكَم حُفِرَت

أَجداثُ قَومٍ وَلَم يُحفَر لَهُ جَدَثُ

It has claimed generations-so many graves

Dug for others, while his own remains un-dug.