إذا أسنّ الشيخ أو تحطّما

إذا أسنّ الشيخ أو تحطّما

ولجلج القول معا وتمتعا

ولجلج القول معا وتمتعا

When the old man grows old or breaks down,

When the sheikh grows old, or is shattered,

and stammers in speech while also enjoying himself,

And the words flow forth together, luxuriating,

وزيد من بعد الزمانة العمى

وزيد من بعد الزمانة العمى

وانحلت القوة ثم سلّما

وانحلت القوة ثم سلّما

and blindness is added after chronic infirmity,

And after the years, blindness increases,

and his strength ebbs away, then he surrenders,

And strength dissolves, then peace be upon it.

وودّع الدنيا وداعا توأما

وودّع الدنيا وداعا توأما

وصار في الأرض له أن يرجما

وصار في الأرض له أن يرجما

and bids the world a twofold farewell,

When he bids the world a dual farewell,

and in the earth his lot is to be covered with stones,

And it becomes for him in the earth as if pelted with stones,

أحدر أن يرحمه ربّ السما

أحدر أن يرحمه ربّ السما

he is [perhaps: more deserving] of mercy from the Lord of heaven.

Will the Lord of the Heavens have mercy on him?