جَفا طَرَبَ الفِتيانِ وَهوَ طَروبُ

جَفا طَرَبَ الفِتيانِ وَهوَ طَروبُ

وَأَعقَبَهُ قُربَ الشَبابِ مَشيبُ

وَأَعقَبَهُ قُربَ الشَبابِ مَشيبُ

He forsook the young men's mirth, though he is fond of mirth.

Harshness troubled the youth though frolic it was,

And gray hair overtook him while youth was still near.

And swiftly old age succeeded their prime.

تَجافَت عُيونُ البيضِ عَنهُ وَرُبَّما

تَجافَت عُيونُ البيضِ عَنهُ وَرُبَّما

مَدَدنَ إِلَيهِ الوَصلَ وَهوَ حَبيبٌ

مَدَدنَ إِلَيهِ الوَصلَ وَهوَ حَبيبٌ

Fair women's eyes turned away from him, though often

The bright eyes turned from him, yet would he be,

They had offered him love when he was beloved.

At times, to the lover an intimate friend.

لَعَمري لَنِعمَ الصاحِبِ الشَيبُ واعِظاً

لَعَمري لَنِعمَ الصاحِبِ الشَيبُ واعِظاً

وَإِن كانَ مِنهُ لِلعُيونِ نُكوبُ

وَإِن كانَ مِنهُ لِلعُيونِ نُكوبُ

By my life, gray hair is indeed a fine companion as an admonisher,

In truth, a noble companion is old age, wise monitor,

Though it makes eyes turn away.

Though to the eyes it be hated eclipse.

خَليطُ نُهىً مُنتابُ حُلمٍ وَإِنَّهُ

خَليطُ نُهىً مُنتابُ حُلمٍ وَإِنَّهُ

عَلى ذاكَ مَكروهُ الخِلاطِ مُريبُ

عَلى ذاكَ مَكروهُ الخِلاطِ مُريبُ

A companion of reason, a frequent guest of forbearance—yet it

Blent counsels of wisdom, choicest, sincere,

Is, for all that, unwelcome company and disquieting.

Yet deemed by the thoughtless a mixture impure.