1. My soul's fire faded when my beloved left,
And my night darkened when its meteors lit it.

2. O owl nested arrogantly on my resolve -
Away with you though your fledglings twitter!

3. You saw time ravage me and visited my ruins,
Though ruins are your home from all lands.

4. Can I live in comfort when gray appears,
Though henna's disguise may profit it naught?

5. When a man's hue pales and his hair whitens,
The sweet days of his life become bitter.

6. Leave the moral faults alone, for piety
Forbids the righteous soul to commit them.

7. Give your fame its alms, and understand
It's like the alms upon wealth when due.

8. Do good unto the noble and gain their necks -
To gain them is the best commerce of honor.

9. Walk not haughtily upon the earth's surface
For soon enough it will hold you in its dust.

10. I have tasted of this world - it proffered
To us its sweet and bitter, pleasure and pain.

11. I found it naught but vanity and falseness,
Like mirages upon the horizon's breadth.

12. It is but a vile carcass fought over
By dogs whose only care is to drag at it.

13. If you avoid it you'll live in peace with its people,
But if you seek it its hounds will contest you.

14. Happy the soul that lodged in its home's depth,
Doors barred, curtains drawn, hidden from all.