1. انزعْ لباسَك فالآجالُ حاكمةٌ

    أن لا ترُدَّ سِهامَ الموتِ بالزّرَدِ

    Take off your garb, for death's appointed times decree

    That you cannot repel death's arrows with chainmail.

  2. إذا ابْنُ آوى تولّتْهُ سعادته

    أوى إليه مُطيعاً كاسرُ الأسدِ

    When a jackal's good fortune takes him under its care,

    The fierce lion takes refuge with him obediently.

  3. وإن ألمّتْ بليثِ الغِيلِ منحَسَةٌ

    صالتْ على لَبدَتَيْهِ راحةُ النّقَدِ

    And if misfortune befalls the lion of the thicket,

    A small sheep's hoof assails his two mane-tufts.