شاهدتُ نملاً قد تجاذَب زهرةً

ذا قد تَمَلّكَها وهَذا يَسلِبُ

I saw an ant pull a flower

One had taken possession while the other robbed

مثلَ الملوك تجاذَبوا الدّنيا فَما

حصَلتْ لمغلوبٍ ولا مَن يغلِبُ

Like kings who competed over the world, so

None who was defeated or the victor benefited