1. O friend, I bid farewell to youth and vigor
And tread a path not theirs, another way

2. I bend the neck of passion to higher goals
And see the long travail of lovers in decay

3. So heeding counsel I withdraw, though yet
The words of your eyes keep my heart bound and chained

4. Two covenants of yore with youth and spring
Gone: mourn them not too long when they have waned

5. Bearing the sweet of life away, and yielding
No hope of turning back or swift regaining

6. For night’s long revelry my guide has been
The dawn of temperance: learn to love this gaining

7. But when the rain of care is from me barred
My heart still harbors grief long known and steered

8. Full many a night my lids are tear bedewed
With streaming anguish raining uncontrolled

9. Their stars now dead, their moon about to wane
Accused of living, life itself unhealed

10. Lost in a gloom that wraps us fold on fold
We think the real dawn itself unreal

11. Which clapped turns saffron pale, and seems to hold
Pure gold dissolved in its goblet crystal sealed

12. Hail and welcome to the Imam drawing near!
Would I could reach to meet him on his way

13. He spurs no charger, takes no transient rest,
No watchman finds his eyes at break of day

14. His sleeves rolled up when bloodshed is at hand
The sweeping torrents drag adown their trains