1. I saw one whose memory escapes me
Weeping when he saw his beard

2. So I said, why not tease him a little
And let action prevail over restraint

3. I kept stroking his whiskers
Until his face opened into a smile

4. I said, what value does grey hair have
That wavers between anxiety and gloom

5. I will weave a cover for him
For truth may be veiled by doubt

6. He said, describe what I see as a pearl
That tells of the sap of the moist hyssop

7. I said, listen to me, a truthful one
Free from falsehood's vileness

8. Take rancor and anger, crush them
Knead them with Meccan loaf

9. Dye your hair with it, my elder
From temple to jawbone

10. This prescription is written
By Sherhan, the Turkish commander