1. مَحمودُنا اللَهُ وَالمَسعودُ خائِفُهُ

    فَعَدِّ عَن ذِكرِ مَحمودٍ وَمَسعودِ

    The one we praise is God; fortunate is he who fears Him.

    So leave aside mention of Mahmud and Mas'ud.

  2. مَلكانِ لَو أَنَّني خُيِّرتُ مُلكَهُما

    وَعود صَلبٍ أَشارَ العَقلُ بِالعودِ

    Two kings: were I given a choice between their rule

    and a crucifixion stake, reason would recommend the stake.

  3. القَبرُ لاريبَ مَنزولٌ فَما أَرَبي

    إِلى إِرتِقاءِ رَفيعِ السَمكِ مَصعودِ

    The grave is surely where I must descend; what need have I

    to climb to a lofty, towering height?

  4. قوتي غَنايَ وَطِمري ساتِري وَتُقى

    مَولايَ كَنزي وَوِردَ الموتِ مَوعودي

    My sustenance is my wealth, my tattered robe my covering, and reverence for

    my Lord is my treasure, and death's watering-place my promised destination.

  5. وَالنَفسُ أَمّارَةٌ بِالسوءِ ما اِجتَرَمَت

    إِلّا وَسَيِّءِ طَبعي قائِلٌ عودي

    And the soul ever urges evil; never has it sinned

    without the evil in my nature saying, 'Return!'