لزمت مكاني واسترحت وليتني

أبهت لنفس من سنى شبابي

I remained in my place and rested, if only

I had attended to myself from the hardships of my youth

فما نلت من سعي لصالح أمتي

سوى نكبة أو خيبة وعتاب

For I achieved nothing worthwhile for my nation

Except for downfall, disappointment, and reproach

ولو كنت أدري قبل ذلك أنني

سأجمع من نصف الغريق إهابي

If only I had known before that

I would gather the driftwood of my wrecked vessel

لما سرت في الأشواك والليل مظلم

لأظفر من سعي بحسن مآب

I would not have ventured into the thorns in the dark of night

To reap from my efforts a good end

وما كنت أدري أنني بمهامه

أطوف وحدي بينها وشعاب

And I did not know that I, with my concerns

Would wander alone amongst them and the gorges