رَكوبٌ لَأَعناقِ الأُمورِ وَلَم يَكُن

رَكوبٌ لَأَعناقِ الأُمورِ وَلَم يَكُن

يَدُبُّ عَلى أَعجازِها مُتَقَفِّرا

يَدُبُّ عَلى أَعجازِها مُتَقَفِّرا

He mounts affairs by the neck, and was never one to

A bold rider of the necks of affairs, he never

crawl along at their hindquarters, following their tracks.

crept along their hindquarters, following their tracks.

إِذا أَدبَرَ المَطلوبُ عَنهُ فَخَلِّهِ

إِذا أَدبَرَ المَطلوبُ عَنهُ فَخَلِّهِ

فَإِنَّ عَناءً أَن تُحاوِلَ مُدبِرا

فَإِنَّ عَناءً أَن تُحاوِلَ مُدبِرا

If what he seeks turns away from him, let it go;

If what is sought turns away from him, then leave it be;

for it is sheer toil to pursue a thing as it retreats.

for it is toil to pursue what turns away.