أما في الدّهر معتَبر

ففيه الصفو والكدر

In life there is good and bad

Joy and sorrow to be had

فسلني عن تقلبه

فعند جُهينة الخبر

Ask me of its ups and downs

For I've gained some wisdom now

صحبناه إِلى أَجلٍ

نُراقبه وَنحتَذِرُ

We accompanied it awhile

Watched and waited all the while

فيا عجَبا لمرتحلٍ

ولا يدري متى السفر

How wondrous the traveler

Who knows not when he will set sail