إذا قلتُ قد رَقَّ الزمانُ وَصَرَّفَتْ

صُروفُ الليالي ضَيقَتي وخُمولي

When I say time has softened me, and turned

The nights’ events made my spirit contract and slow,

أَحال علىَّ النائباتِ كأنما

يُطالبني عن سالفٍ بذُحُول

It brings back misfortunes as though

They demand restitution from an old debt.