مذ ضل مني القلب في ليل الصبا

مذ ضل مني القلب في ليل الصبا

وقد اطل مسدفاً ظلامه

وقد اطل مسدفاً ظلامه

Since my heart strayed from me in the night of youth,

Since my heart strayed in the night of youth,

And its darkness loomed, spreading gloom,

And let the darkness stretch out,

رفعت من نار مشيبي قبساً

رفعت من نار مشيبي قبساً

انشده وقد نأى مرامه

انشده وقد نأى مرامه

I raised a firebrand from the fire of my gray hair,

I raised from the fire of my old age an ember,

Seeking it, though it lay far beyond reach.

I recite it though its purpose is remote.