أَجِسماً فيهِ هَذي الروحُ هَلّا

غَبَطتَ لِفَقدِها الأَلَمَ السِلاما

Is this the soul that dwells within this frame?

Would that for loss of it were grief not calm!

أَجَدَّكَ لَن تَرى الإِنسانَ إِلّا

قَليلَ الرَشدِ مُحتَمِلاً مَلاما

You will not see man whom you know is wise

Save seeking cover from his guilt in lies.

وَتَحمِلُهُ الغَريزَةُ وَهوَ شَيخٌ

عَلى ما كانَ يَفعَلُهُ غُلاما

And nature makes him when he's aged and grey

Do what he did or shunned in youth's bright day.

وَأَيسَرُ مِن رُكوبِ الظُلمِ جَهلاً

رُكوبُكَ في مَآرِبِكَ الظَلاما

Better than riding darkened ignorance

Is riding to your death not caring whence

وَقَد يَبغي السَلامَةَ مُستَجيرٌ

فَيَترُكُ مِن مَخافَتِهِ السَلاما

Comes on you fate; though safety is desired

Often is missed through very fear inspired;

وَكَم حَلَم الأَديمُ مِن اِبنِ دَهرٍ

حَديثِ السِنِّ ما بَلَغَ اِحتِلاما

And much life's velvet whom time lately clothed

In the first down by manhood is not loathed.