1. Youthfulness has departed, leaving my eyes and traces behind,
While old age has come, bearing great experience and knowledge.

2. Praise be to Allah for the youth I was intimate with,
That moistened my heart like the breeze at dawn.

3. In it I reflected on people’s affairs, all of them,
Yet I did not indulge in frivolity or whim.

4. Nor did I incline towards a cup or drinking,
Nor delight in a flute or strings.

5. I remained aloof from all wickedness,
And isolated myself from all evil.

6. Until my gray hair appeared openly,
And came to warn me of my impending journey.

7. He is the vizier, the son of Mas’ud, Abu Hasan,
The axis of glory, generous of self and conduct.

8. And who is like Ali in his ministry?
Who has enriched the king or been kinder to people?

9. And who is like Ali in his administration?
Who has pleased Allah more or been more forgiving of pride?

10. And who is like Ali in his politics?
Who has guided more towards benefit or transgressed less against harm?

11. A heart's humility in awe of Allah, downtrodden,
That observes Allah in intimacy and in the breast.