1. أَشَدُّ مِن فاقَةٍ وَجوعِ

    إِغضاءُ حُرٍّ عَلى خُضوعِ

    Harsher than destitution and hunger

    Is a free man's acquiescence in abasement.

  2. فَاِرضَ مِنَ الدَهرِ قوتَ يَومٍ

    وَأَنتَ بِالمَنزِلِ الرَفيعِ

    So be content with a day's sustenance from fate,

    While you hold a lofty station.

  3. وَاِرحَل إِذا أَجدَبَت بِلادٌ

    مِنها إِلى الخِصبِ وَالرَبيعِ

    And when a land grows barren, journey

    From it to fertile country and spring.

  4. لَعَلَّ دَهراً أَتى بِنَحسٍ

    يَكِرُّ بِالسَعدِ في الرُجوعِ

    Perhaps a time that brought misfortune

    Will bring good fortune on its return.