إن جزت بالهرمين قل كم فيهما

إن جزت بالهرمين قل كم فيهما

من عبرة للعاقل المتأمل

من عبرة للعاقل المتأمل

If you pass by the two pyramids, say: how full they are

If you pass by the pyramids, say how much

Of lessons for the discerning, contemplative mind!

Wisdom is there for the thoughtful mind

شبهت كلا منهما بمسافر

شبهت كلا منهما بمسافر

عرف المحل فبات دون المنزل

عرف المحل فبات دون المنزل

I likened each of them to a traveler

I likened each of them to a traveler

Who knew his destination, yet spent the night short of his lodging.

Who knew the place, but stayed short of his destination

أو عاشقين وشى بوصلهما أبو

أو عاشقين وشى بوصلهما أبو

الهول الرقيب فخلفاه بمعزل

الهول الرقيب فخلفاه بمعزل

Or two lovers whose union was exposed by Abu—

Or to two lovers whom the fearful guardian

al-Hawl, the watcher; so they left him in isolation.

Parted, leaving them in isolation

أو حائرين استهديا نجم السما

أو حائرين استهديا نجم السما

فهداهما بضيائه المتهلّل

فهداهما بضيائه المتهلّل

Or two bewildered men who sought guidance from heaven's star,

Or two lost souls who sought the star of heaven

So it guided them both with its beaming light.

And it guided them with its gleaming light

أو ظامئين استسقيا صوب الحيا

أو ظامئين استسقيا صوب الحيا

فسقاهما عذبا روي المنهل

فسقاهما عذبا روي المنهل

Or two thirsty men who sought water from the pouring rain,

Or two thirsty men who asked the water of life

So it gave them both sweet water from a plentiful source.

And it quenched their thirst from a flowing spring

يغنى الزمان وفي حشاه منهما

يغنى الزمان وفي حشاه منهما

غيظ الحسودِ وشجرة المستثقل

غيظ الحسودِ وشجرة المستثقل

Time grows rich, while in its breast, because of them both,

Time passes, yet preserved within them still

Lie the envious one's wrath and the tree of one who finds them burdensome.

Is the envy of foes and weights they can lift