1. Youth bids farewell, and age begins anew,
As speckled eggs change hue when freshly laid.

2. They keep their word if pleased, like tempered steel,
Provoked, like iron wrought and keen of blade.

3. O Lofty One, if we must part, then make
Our separation harder still to bear!

4. My word, they were the joy of all mankind,
Like the soft-breathing grapes their veils once hid.

5. Their cooling breath could cure a fevered brow,
When pillowed softly on a cheek new-dyed.

6. When freely spending, loosed, the head-shawl falls
Divulging yet the neckband’s grace restrained.

7. I fought with Time for them - for Time will rob
The best of men - what better fights are waged?

8. At dawn, the powers of youth in them would stir,
Yet fail at parting to keep plighted faith.

9. I fancied I could bear the cruel pangs -
But distance taught endurance beyond my worth.

10. I come back, after absence has worked divorce,
With neither half-success nor credit earned.

11. Mishaps in love breed late remorse sometimes,
And what we shun may prove to be our guide.

12. When shadows fall, horrors and freezing rains,
I drive the ducks, huddled in lines close-serried.

13. Their necks, like booty from the robber stripped,
Seem melting pearls, or white brows shorn of locks.

14. No charms avail ‘gainst rancour of the base;
Though left alone, I shall not play the weak.

15. To hatred I oppose its counterparts,
And evil plots with evil counterplots.

16. O Camel-driver, though the twisted wands
Are shorn, with me thou wouldst have support still.

17. Give me my wings again that I may be
A match for those who mock me to my face.