1. Time has refused to treat me kindly,
Inflicting only base deeds and fickle turns of fortune,

2. Transforming smiles into frowns.
The events of time have turned my hair gray,

3. And its occurrences whiten heads.
Time contested my garb of youth,

4. Wresting from me a precious shred.
It reproaches me if I sit too long,

5. Though I have no excuse for prolonging my sitting.
A sword may rest in its sheath, protected,

6. While a lion makes its home in a den.
Shall I serve one who was my servant?

7. Shall I follow one who saw me as a leader?
I have shunned my boon companion and wine -

8. I have become a nuisance to my friend.
It is as if I am no longer excellent

9. In setting out on a Thursday eve.
I no longer hunt prey in its lair

10. With a spear that attracts the timid.
Frightening the gazelles with my form -

11. Seizing souls before the bodies can flee.
Nor have I passed the cup in my prime

12. To the youths, beginning with coffee.
It is as if the cups in their hands

13. Are stars in a sky meeting suns.
Oh Lord, I once enjoyed a day

14. With entertainment, whether chess or the lute!
Blessed is the monastery, the monastery of the tower,

15. Where monks answer the call to prayer.
If the staff of the monastery had not been guided

16. To support it until it took root,
Had Christianity's Jesus appeared

17. To the Nazarenes, they would have turned from Jesus to it.
When I wish, I make eloquent speech flow

18. From her lap, arousing the apathetic.
Commanding travel through empty quarters -

19. Activating my eyes and chivalry.
She saw I had sufficed and sought no more

20. The company of faces that prolong frowns.
Let me deal with time's fortunes

21. And don a new garb in every situation.
For when clothes are worn long

22. They become like the skins of seasoned men.
I have seen the branches of the generous

23. Turn white when their heads are brought low.