1. فَيا شامِخاً أَقصِر عِنانَكَ مُقصِراً

    فَإِنَّ مَطايا الدَهرِ تَكبو وَتَعثَرُ

    So, haughty one, draw in your rein and hold back,

    for the mounts of time stumble and trip.

  2. سَتَقرَعُ سِنّاً أَو تَعُضُّ نَدامَةً

    يَدَيكَ إِذا خانَ الزَمانُ وَتُبصِرُ

    You will gnash your teeth or, in remorse, bite

    your hands when time betrays you—and you will see.

  3. وَيَلقاكَ رُشدٌ بَعدَ غَيِّكَ واعِظٌ

    وَلَكِنَّهُ يَلقاكَ وَالأَمرُ مُدبِرُ

    And sound judgment will meet you after your folly, an admonisher,

    but it will meet you when matters are in decline.