الشيب نبه ذا النهى فتنبها

الشيب نبه ذا النهى فتنبها

ونهى الجهول فما أفاق ولا انتهى

ونهى الجهول فما أفاق ولا انتهى

Gray hair roused the man of reason, so he took heed.

Gray hair warned the heedless one to wake,

And admonished the ignorant man, yet he neither came to his senses nor desisted.

But the fool paid no heed, nor ceased his ways.

فإلى متى ألهو وأفرح بالمنى

فإلى متى ألهو وأفرح بالمنى

والشيخ أقبح ما يكون إذا لها

والشيخ أقبح ما يكون إذا لها

So how long shall I amuse myself and rejoice in hopes?

How long shall I revel in false delight?

And an old man is at his ugliest when he indulges in frivolity.

An old man looks his worst when led astray.