1. ويح ابن آدم غرّتهُ سلامَتُه

    فبات يغرى بإعراس وتعريس

    Alas for the son of Adam—his well-being has deceived him,

    so he spends the night enticed by weddings and repose,

  2. كأنّ رحلته يوما ومأتمَهُ

    لا يأتيان بتوريد وتوريس

    as though his departure one day, and his funeral,

    would not bring reddening and yellowing.

  3. يبلى بكرّ الجديدين القشيب كما

    ينهَدُّ ما كان مرصوصا بتأسيس

    The fresh wears out as night and day return, just as

    what was firmly built upon foundations crumbles.

  4. والدهر ليس بناجٍ من حبالَتِهِ

    صعوٌ بوكرٍ ولا ليثٌ بعِرّيس

    And none escapes Time's snare:

    neither a sparrow in its nest nor a lion in its lair.

  5. تطاولَ الناسُ في البنيان يا عجبا

    أما تقاصَر قدما عرش بلقيس

    People vie in raising buildings high—how astonishing!

    Was Bilqis's throne not brought low long ago?

  6. إنّ الصعاب وإن أعيت رياضتُها

    من المنايا لتدويخٍ وتخييسِ

    Indeed, the unruly, though their taming proves too hard,

    are overpowered and subdued by death.

  7. هذي قسيّ الليالي غيرُ صائنةٍ

    سهامها عن أخي حبو وتقريس

    These bows of the nights do not hold back

    their arrows from one who crawls and grasps with his fingertips.

  8. من استضاء بنور الحقّ مهتدياً

    لم يخش ظلمة إبطالٍ وتلبيس

    Whoever seeks illumination in truth's light, rightly guided,

    will not fear the darkness of falsehood and deception.

  9. لا بدّ من وحدة في الرمس موحشةٍ

    إن لم تقدم لها أعمال تأنيس

    There is no escape from desolate solitude in the grave,

    unless you have sent ahead deeds that bring comfort there.

  10. فانظر لنفسك ما أنظرت مزدلفاً

    للّه تحظ وتنفيس

    So look to your own good while you are granted respite, drawing near

    to God; you will gain favor and relief.