عجبت لباني القصر لم يين قبره

عجبت لباني القصر لم يين قبره

وكم مات بان قبل أن يسكن البنا

وكم مات بان قبل أن يسكن البنا

I marveled at the palace-builder: he did not [build] his grave.

I am amazed, for the builder of the palace did not stay to live in his grave

And how many a builder died before inhabiting the building!

And how many have died before residing in the building

ولو كان ذا عقل لما فات قبره

ولو كان ذا عقل لما فات قبره

نسيئا ولكن يشغل الناس بالمنى

نسيئا ولكن يشغل الناس بالمنى

Had he possessed reason, he would not have overlooked his grave,

If he had any wisdom, he would not have missed out on his grave

Leaving it deferred; yet people are distracted by wishes.

Forgetting, as worldly desires preoccupy people