1. I wept for the nearness of death,
And the loss of hope's retreat,
١. بَكَيتُ لِقُربِ الأَجَل
وَبُعدِ فَواتِ الأَمَل
2. As strands of gray approach
Upon youth's vanished feet.
٢. وَوافِدِ شَيب طَرا
بِعَقبِ شَبابٍ رَحَل
3. That youth which was not, it seems,
And old age that forever deems,
٣. شَبابٌ كَأَن لَم يَكُن
وَشَيبٌ كَأَن لَم يَزَل
4. Announcing the final dawn,
Foretelling the final song.
٤. طَواكَ بَشيرُ البَقاء
وَحَلَّ بَشيرُ الأَجَل
5. One companion now leaves another
Just so do kingdoms shift and wander.
٥. طَوى صاحِبٌ صاحِبا
كَذاكَ اِختِلافُ الدُوَل