أَرِقتُ جَميعَ اللَيلِ لِلبارِقِ الَّذي

تَرَفَّعَ مَع نَجدٍ فَشاقَ إِلى نَجدِ

I was restless all night for the lightning that

Rose with Najd and soared to Najd

أَحُلَّ بِدارِ اللَهوِ حَيثُ لَقيتُها

وَأَهزِلُ بِاللَذاتِ وَالدَهرُ في جِدِّ

I joke in the abode of frivolity where I met her

And jest with pleasures while time is serious

أَلا إِنَّما الدُنيا بَلاغٌ لِغايَةٍ

فَإِمّا إِلى غَيٍّ وَإِمّا إِلى رُشدِ

Behold, the life of this world is but a means to an end

So either to ruin or righteousness will you come