إِذا فَزِعنا فَإِنَّ الأَمنَ غايَتُنا

وَإِن أُمِّنا فَما نَخلو مِنَ الفَزَعِ

If we are frightened, security is still our goal,

Yet being secure, fear we cannot forego,

وَشيمَةُ الإِنسِ مَمزوجٌ بِها مَلَلٌ

فَما نَدومُ عَلى صَبرٍ وَلا جَزَعِ

For man's nature is mixed with weariness,

So we waver 'twixt patience and woe.

وَسَبتُكَ الشَعَرَ الغِربيبَ تَطرَحُهُ

ما رَغَّبَ الشَيخُ في البادي مِنَ النَزَعِ

You spurned poetry which oft comfort brings,

No more allured by odes mellow,

وَنَغبَةٌ إِثرَ أُخرى أَطفَأَت ظَمَأً

وَرُبَّ مَلبَسِ دَجنٍ خيطَ مِن قَزَعِ

Craving follows craving, thirst unslaked,

Many a rough cloak's made of finest cloth though.

وَشَرٌّ ساكِنَ هَذي الأَرضِ عالَمُنا

وَاللَوبُ في الجِزعِ أَغلى قيمَةَ الجَزَعِ

Evil lurks in this world, our abode,

Yet impatience is costlier than composure.

لَولا فَوارِسُ فَوقَ الأَرضِ مُشرِعَةً

ما هابَت الوَحشَ قُربَ الشُزَّبِ المُزَعِ

Were it not for knights riding with banners unfurled,

Beasts would not fear settlements they could smash.

زَع نَفسَكَ اليَومَ وَاِندُبها إِلى حَسَنٍ

فَإِن أَطاعَت فَأَدِّب غَيرَها وَزَعِ

Chide yourself today and urge it to goodness,

If it obeys, discipline others, take heart!