1. Ride with vigor to youth overflowing,
And halt at a grave that holds my vision.

2. Its location you will discern from his resting place,
And the sweet scent of perfume will waft to you from him.

3. How much piety, how much chastity,
Noble lineage and pure honor he contained!

4. And bid peace unto him, from one whose grief
Has split wide open with no mender.

5. May he allow me in the far off future
To unite with his phantom visitor.

6. I revive my languid heart with his specter,
Since I will meet with him and not depart.

7. I am shy before him while he is buried
In his vault as if he were present.

8. I tend his repute and keep my promise,
For naught else occupies my thoughts.

9. If his body lies wrapped in decay
My love for him through time will not diminish.

10. He shared with me the best company,
My longing for him among the finest comrades.

11. He was nothing less than unique - I do not hope
To replace him even with rarities.

12. Had I been fair to him in friendship
I'd have resigned when he passed and not lingered.

13. I would have clove open my heart’s recess as his tomb
And quenched it with the water of my tears.

14. I find pleasure in my heart that he
Resides in it, and I tend to him in my conscience.

15. I ask forgiveness for him and pardon
From the ever generous, oft forgiving Lord.

16. It suits me to be seen demanding
Maidens with ankle bracelets and wrist bands,

17. Enclosed in a dome of pearl
Reserved as reward for the steadfast sufferer.

18. My arms have been emptied, I stand alone, so if
I profited I was the most profitable of traders,

19. And if I am deprived, if my lot does not win me them,
By God, I am still the biggest loser.

20. One who surpasses sixty, to busy himself
With singing girls and flutes is unseemly,

21. Rather, his duty is to prepare provisions for his return trip
For provisions are the most pressing of all travelers concerns.

22. Piety alone befits the old,
Not to wander lustfully sniffing at ruins.

23. The nature of youth has turned from him in dislike,
For weariness relates to that which causes alienation.

24. When do contemporaries in battle meet
Except with gleaming swords or lances that pierce?

25. And when a vulnerable man plunges into difficulty
He becomes captive and ceases to be captor.

26. Who yearns for a languid breast and glance
Save one alone in a languid time?

27. It suffices me the book of God, it is my delight
And my comfort in my desolation with my scrolls.

28. Shall I reveal secrets to the pure
Through whom the revealer cleanses all that is sacrosanct?

29. And if I desire propriety, I find it
And tour its most splendid and beautiful realm,

30. And I see through it the clear path of guidance,
Which saves those who do not oppose it.

31. It is time for me to awaken and mind myself
If my insight is fit to function.

32. How often I wander and transgress confused,
Lost in it repeating like one perplexed!

33. And I see my youth retreat from me in legions
As my old age advances with its battalions,

34. Becomes triumphant over me and does not cease
To make swift steeds of the symbols of conquest fly.

35. I have seen wonders in time
That I have tested in my sources and wellsprings

36. And found bosom companions by name
Civil in manner yet heartless and cold

37. Though few independent souls may diverge
For principles are not based on outliers

38. If a dwelling allure me or come to tempt me,
I turn from it like a falcon breaking prey.

39. I roam lands with no distinction between plain and crag,
First rain and last are the same water to me.

40. And I have marveled at the believer with a church bell
In his cheek though he wears a Muslim veil!

41. He does not silence himself and has never thought
The tongue to be like a biting injurious lion.

42. If I summon speech, it answers me
As a prisoner answers his captor’s call.

43. Yet I saw our Prophet reproach
All garrulous chatterboxes, even the eloquent poet,

44. So I am silent unless discussing piety
Though sometimes creativity tosses my mind priceless gems.

45. They did not praise prolonging speech, only saw shortening it virtuous though the lectern was raised high.
And when they saw the methodical fluency of words

46. It was for a worshiper or reciter alone.
So the flaw lies in excess speech, not elegant expressions

47. That guide hearts by the magic of an enchanter.
I say to one accusing me

48. Of immoderation in my own affairs though he cannot excuse me:
When I saw the land with water that choked

49. And the least sip was hard for me to swallow,
If I was content to drink tainted water

50. I would have gulped it down in mighty droughts,
And crossed the sea of fortunes seeking wealth

51. Vying intensely like the most skilled seafarer,
Instead, I substituted with moderation

52. And graceful frugality in outward matters.
For some wealth can actually harm its owners

53. While poverty in God’s eyes damages no one.
I have acquired all the food I need

54. And clothing beyond what covers my body,
And by your life, I have been honored among my neighbors

55. Revered, regarded highly by my clan,
And tomorrow at the racing field we will meet

56. For the clumsy one to be distinguished from the nimble weakling.
Woe, a terrible woe to me, if my Protector

57. Is not in those dire straits my ally!
I thank Him for His great gifts

58. For He keeps His promise to the grateful one,
And I implore Him with the sincerity of one returning

59. For it is He in whom I place hope to seal my poverty.