1. I cast off youth and disobeyed my soul
And warded off temptation with piety

2. And said to my playfulness, while my eyes overflowed
With tears, "Calm yourself, do not touch me!"

3. For youth has gone, leaving but little
That I argue against its sorrows with my cup's excess

4. And whoever has passed twenty, you will find
Followed by four more and five

5. For nights have sailed away from his eyes
And guidance was revealed to him after confusion

6. I looked in the mirror and it uncovered for me
A mask in which appeared my hoary head

7. And I was, though well-appointed and lively
Wrestling with my own evil and warding off harm

8. So I returned after softness had faded
Evading my playfulness and concealing my despair

9. Thus I do not spend my evening as I did my morning
Due to old age, nor is my day like my evening

10. And days are but raiders
Passing by, each fully armed and helmeted

11. They destroyed 'Aram and 'Ad before us
And flew between Thubian and 'Abs

12. And destroyed the misguided and seduced
The pillar of Shanfara and toppled with spears

13. So neither Jamshid when they came to him
With their events, nor the Lord of Dirfis could resist

14. On this the people travel blindly
While Allah remains creator of every soul