1. كانَ لي رُكنٌ شَديدٌ

    وَقَعَت فيهِ الزَلازِل

    I had a strong pillar;

    Earthquakes struck it.

  2. زَعزَعَتهُ نُوَبُ الدَهرِ

    وَكَرّاتُ النَوازِل

    Time’s misfortunes shook it,

    And calamities’ repeated assaults.

  3. ما بَقاءُ الحَجَرِ الصَلدِ

    عَلى وَقعِ المَعاوِل

    How can hard stone endure

    Under the blows of pickaxes?