يُجيلون عَن لَيل بَهيمٍ ظُنونَهُم

فَإِن قالَ جَلّى اللَّيلُ عَنهُم سَمادِرَه

They harbor suspicions about a dreadful night,

If it says the night has uncovered its darkness for them,

وَإِن زالَ وَالأَمرُ البَعيد وَجدتَه

مُعَدّاً يَرى عَن أَوّل الأَمر آخِرَه

And if it passes, though the matter is far, you will find it

Ready, it sees its end from its beginning.

فَلا أَدركوا بِالجَهد منهم أَناتَه

وَلا بَلَغوا بِالفِكر منهُم خَواطِره

So they could not reach its reprieve through strife,

Nor with thought attain its notions.