1. حتَّى مَتى تَستفزكَ الخُدع

    وكم وكم تستقيدكُ البدعُ

    How long will deceptions keep carrying you away?

    And how often, how often do novelties lead you captive!

  2. تأمُلُ والموتُ وَيحَ نفسكَ لا

    يُبقي على آملٍ ولا يدعُ

    You hope, while death—alas for your soul!—does not

    spare one who hopes, nor leave him be.

  3. يا شامخاً عِزَّةً بمعطسه

    مَهلاً فأَنفُ العزيزِ يُجتَدَع

    O you who hold your nose high in pride,

    Easy now, for the mighty man's nose is cut off.

  4. لا عِصمَةٌ لِلمَنيعِ مِن قدَرٍ

    لم يعتصِم مِنهُ أعصَمٌ صَدَعُ

    There is no protection for the unassailable against fate,

    from which no sturdy ibex with white forelegs has found refuge.