1. The vicissitudes of time have changed my state,
So what has happened to my time and wealth?

2. It's as if time were my enemy,
Pelting me with arrows.

3. Where is the time that has passed?
Where is my glory and wealth?

4. Where is my horse and fancy cloak?
Where are my words and speech?

5. Where is my life and frivolity?
Where is my beauty and good fortune?

6. When we were noble virtuous youths,
Supreme in their excellence.

7. When we were in a wondrous gathering,
Beyond description and example,

8. Bringing together every beauty,
Achieving perfection.

9. The drums beat dub-dub dub-dub dub-dub,
The pipes trill til-til tal-tal.

10. The lutes tintin-tintin tintintin,
Tuned by the mistress of beauty.

11. She sang and my heart was captivated,
Passionately, by her lawful magic.

12. Between us was plentiful coffee,
Studded with cardamom and cloves.

13. It was served by a graceful young waiter,
Slender of build and balanced of posture.

14. Mellowed by the passing of eons,
Ground by the hand of countless nights.

15. Its cheeks were flushed a rosy hue,
None but it could satisfy.

16. I said, as he prolonged his promise
And dwelt in excuses and procrastination: