الدّهْرُ أضيقُ فُسحةً في أنْ يُرى

بالحُزْنِ والكَمَدِ المُضاعَفِ يُقطَعُ

The days are too narrow to be seen

With double sorrow and despair

وإذا قطَعْتَ زَمانَهُ في كُرْبَةٍ

ضيّعْتَ في الأوْهامِ ما لا يرْجِعُ

And if you end its time in misery

You will lose in illusion what does not return

فاقْنَع بِما أعطاكَ دهْرُكَ واغتَنِمْ

منْهُ السّرورَ وخلِّ ما لا يُقْنِعُ

So be content with what your days have given you

And make use of its joys and leave what does not satisfy