باحَت بِبَلواه جُفونه

وَجرت بأدمعه شُؤونُه

His eyelids divulged his affliction,

And his tear ducts flowed with his tears,

لَمّا رأى شيباً عَلا

هُ وَلَم يَحُن في الغَدِّ حينه

When he saw grey hair rising upon

Him, though his time had not yet come,

فعلا عَلى فقد الشبا

ب وَفقد من يَهوى أَنينه

So his groaning rose for the loss of youth

And the loss of the one he loves.

ما كانَ أَنجَحَ سَعيَه

وَشَبابه فيهِ معينه

How successful was his endeavor

When his youth was his helper therein!

وَاللَهوُ يُحسِن بِالفَتى

ما لَم يَكُن شيبٌ يَشينه

For amusement befits the young man,

So long as grey hair does not mar him.