أَلا ليتَ شِعري وَالخطوب كثيرةٌ

أَلا ليتَ شِعري وَالخطوب كثيرةٌ

مَتى رحلُ قيسٍ مستقلّ فراجعُ

مَتى رحلُ قيسٍ مستقلّ فراجعُ

Ah, would that I knew, while calamities are many,

Ah, would that I knew, with misfortunes so many,

when Qays’s traveling gear will set out—and then return.

When Qays's saddle will set off, then return.

بِنفسي مَن لا يستقلّ برحلهِ

بِنفسي مَن لا يستقلّ برحلهِ

وَمَن هوَ إِن لم يحفظ اللَه ضائعُ

وَمَن هوَ إِن لم يحفظ اللَه ضائعُ

My life be ransom for him who does not set out with his saddle,

My life be ransom for him who cannot set out with his saddle,

and for him who, if God does not preserve him, is lost.

And for him who, unless God protects him, is lost.