1. Time played with Muhammad's beautiful face
Youth played with the quarter till it became desolate
١. لَعِبَ الزَمانُ بِحُسنِ وَجهِ مُحَمَّدٍ
لَعِبَ الصَبا بِالرَبعِ حَتّى أَقفَرا
2. He was known for his beauty but did not remain so
As youthfulness kept touching him till they denied him
٢. قَد كانَ مَعروفَ الجَمالِ فَلَم يَزَل
يَنتابُهُ الحَدَثانُ حَتّى أَنكَرا
3. I knew him wearing eye kohl and reddish dye
Then he started wearing a turban and yellow robes
٣. عَهدي بِهِ مُتَكَفِّرٌ مُتَعَصفِرٌ
ثُمَّ اِغتَدى مُتَصَندِلاً مُتَزَعفِرا
4. As if his cheeks among his sides
Were two jaundiced swords in yellow sheaths
٤. وَكَأَنَّما صِدغاهُ في وَجَناتِهِ
جُعلانِ يَنتابانِ سَلحاً أَصفَرا