Waking Before Death Arrives

One night in the desert of Fayd, I slept, and exhaustion had chained my feet from running any farther. A camel driver came, alarmed and impatient, and struck the camel's reins on my head, shouting: get up! Have you set your heart on dying where you lie, that you don't rise when the caravan bell rings? I too, like you, feel sweet sleep in my head, but the long desert still lies ahead of us. If you won't rise from that pleasant sleep at the call to depart, how will you ever catch up on the road? The camel driver beat the drum of departure, and the head of the caravan reached the next stop. Lucky are the wakeful, the fortunate ones, who pack their bags before the drummer sounds. By the time those asleep on the road lift their heads, those who have gone ahead leave no trace behind. The traveler who rose early wins the lead; what use is staying awake after the caravan has moved on? One who scatters barley in springtime, what wheat can he gather at harvest? You must wake now, you who sleep; for when death drags you from your sleep, what good is it then? When gray hair descends upon the face of youth, your night has turned to day: open your eyes from sleep. The day I lost all hope of life was the day white hairs fell into my black ones. Alas that this precious life has slipped away, and these few remaining breaths will slip away too. What passed in wrongdoing has passed; and if this too passes without your grasping it, it is gone. Now is the time for sowing seed, if you would tend it, if you hope to reap a harvest one day. Do not enter the city of Judgment empty-handed, for sitting there in regret will do you no good. If your mind has eyes, prepare for the grave now, while the ants have not yet eaten your eyes. With capital, my son, one can turn a profit; what profit comes to the one who devours his capital? Make your effort now, while the water is only at your waist, not when the flood has already risen over your head. Now, while you still have eyes, shed a tear; while your tongue is still in your mouth, offer your apology. The soul will not stay forever in the body, nor will the tongue keep turning in the mouth. You must apologize for your failings now, not when the speaking soul has fallen silent. Listen today to the words of those who know, for tomorrow the angel Nakir will question you in terror. Treasure this precious breath of life, for without its bird the cage has no worth. Do not waste your life in sighs and regret, for opportunity is precious, and time is a sword.