1. His thoughts wandered to the past,
As the blind man followed the tracks.

2. Except longing for old pacts,
Nothing remained of the goods of his past.

3. When opportunities came to my hands,
They were disabled except exchanging ideas.

4. I lived days without saying alas,
Nor crying for a memorable past.

5. I lived and shepherded an esteemed life,
Yet I became in need of it from its past.

6. Its days gratified me with its bliss,
Over what was in it of shortness.

7. If its pleasures lengthen with old age,
Then I have reaped its fruits when ripe.

8. Old age's occurrence saddened me,
Although I was stoic, gathering bitterness.

9. It is right for the grey-haired
To be excused, or his greyness sufficed as an excuse.

10. Grey hair is not just greyness, so if you ask about it,
Grey hair is the turbidity of life.

11. Why doesn't your grey hair console you for your youth?
With no grey hair, the rest of life remains.

12. The first beginnings of greyness is one,
That ignites what hair it neighbored.

13. While you see it alone when ignited,
It showed you the fire of greyness in others.

14. Like a great fire, you start it
With the first small sparks.

15. If its companions appear,
It's like live coal amongst embers.

16. Thus small matters, if they lasted,
Become principles of greatness.

17. If only the youth's vigor lasted for him,
As long as he lived or until death comes.

18. But it passes, and yearning for it,
Is like writing carved in stone.

19. An oath I upheld for a time,
Dark, dusky, deceitful.

20. Will God's dye in you return one day?
Even after a long wait.