يَقولونَ نَم في هِدنَةِ الدَهرِ آمِناً

فَقُلتُ وَمَن لي أَن يُهادِنَني الدَهرُ

They say, rest assured, for fate has made peace with you,

But I said, who can make fate be at peace with me?

هَلِ الحَربُ إِلّا ما تَرونَ نَقيصَةً

مِنَ العُمرِ أَو عُدمٌ مِنَ المالِ أَو عُسرُ

Is not war just what you see as damages done

To life, wealth lost, or confronting poverty?

فَلا صُلحَ حَتّى لا يَكونَ لِواجِدٍ

ثَراءٌ وَلا يَبقى عَلى وافِرٍ وَفرُ

No truce is possible until no wealthy person

Remains, nor does abundance stay with the rich.