مَتى شِمتُ بَرقاً لِلصَوارِمِ لامَعا

جَلا ضَوءُهُ يَأسي وَجَلّا المَطامِعا

When will I sense the lightning flash of sharpened swords?

Its radiance dispelled my despair and ignited ambition.

وَمَن لَم يَلِج لَجَّ المَنايا إِلى المُنى

يَعِش بَينَ أَهلِ العِزِّ في الذُلِّ خاضِعا

He who does not brave the tides of death and attain his goal

Lives subjugated among the noble in degradation.

فَلا تَكُ هَيّاباً لِأَمرٍ وَإِن بَدا

مَهولاً إِذا لَم تَلقَ عَنهُ مُدافِعا

So do not hesitate before any enterprise, though it appear

Fraught with danger, if you encounter no opposition.

فَأَجبَنُ أَهلِ الأَرضِ مَن حَقَّ عِلمُهُ

بِوَردِ الرَدى أَن يَلتَقي المَوتَ خاشَعا

The most cowardly of men is he whose knowledge forewarns him

Of the stroke of death, yet meets it not with humility.

وَلَن يَبلَغَ العَلياءَ كَهلٌ وَلَم يَكُن

يَمارِسُ حِدَّ الجِدِّ لِلمَجدِ يافِعا

None will attain glory unless in the flower of youth

He earnestly strives in actions for greatness and honor.