1. أماه ذاب على جمر الأسى جَلَدي

    أبيتُ ألهثُ بين الحُزْنِ والكَمَدِ

    O Mother, my fortitude has melted on sorrow’s embers.

    I spend the night panting between grief and anguish.

  2. تناوشتني همومٌ أيقظتْ شجني

    وعانقتْ أضلُعي واستوطنَتْ خَلَدي

    Worries assailed me, awakening my sorrow,

    And embraced my ribs and settled in my mind.

  3. قالتْ أعيذُكَ من شيطانِ عاطفةٍ

    تُضري بقلبكَ نارَ الحقْدِ والحسَدِ

    She said, “I seek protection for you from the demon of a passion

    That stokes in your heart the fire of rancor and envy.

  4. من مدَّ عينيه للدنيا بلا سنَدٍ

    لمْ يَصْفُ يومٌ له في حاضرٍ وغَدِ

    Whoever casts his eyes toward this world without support

    Will have no untroubled day, now or tomorrow.”