Time quickly brings everything to an end – Masnavi verses by Maulana Rumi

Time quickly brings everything to an end.
People go about their lives in crowds, unaware.
The wolf of death is close, ready to tear them apart.
Yet they remain naive, like foolish sheep.

Look at how proudly they walk,
With their heads held high,
Until fate strikes suddenly
And brings them down in an instant.

.

کوتاه کند زمانه این دمدمه را،

واز هم بدرد گرگِ فنا این رمه را.

اندر سرِ هر کسی غروری‌ست ولی،

سیلیِ اجل قفا زند این همه را.

Word notes

کوتاه کند = brings to an end
زمانه = time
این = this
دمدمه = clamour, rout
را = object marker
و از هم = from each other
بدرد = tear, rip, devour
گرگ = wolf
فنا = death, destruction
رمه = herd, flock
اندر سرِ هر کسی = in everyone’s head
غروری‌ست = there is pride
ولی = but
سیلی = slap
اجل = fate, death
قفا = nape of the neck
زند = strike, beat
این همه = all of them