يَقولونَ ماشِ الدَهرَ مِن حَيثُ ما مَشى

فَكَيفَ بِماشٍ يَستَقيمُ وَأَظلَعُ

They say go with time wherever it goes

How can one go straight when time is crooked?

وَما واثِقٌ بِالدَهرِ إِلاّ كَراقِدٍ

عَلى فَضلِ ثَوبِ الظِلِّ وَالظِلُّ يُسرِعُ

None feels safe with time but those asleep

In the shade of clothes, while shade is quick

وَقالوا تَعَلَّل إِنَّما العَيشُ نَومَةٌ

يُقَضّى وَيَمضي طارِقُ الهَمِّ أَجمَعُ

They say, just excuse - life is but a nap

Done, and the maker of sorrows is gone

وَلَو كانَ نَوماً ساكِناً لَحَمِدتُهُ

وَلَكِنَّهُ نَومٌ مَروعٌ مُفَزَّعُ

If it were restful sleep, I'd praise it

But it's a frightened sleep, alarmed