نَهْنَهَتِ الخَمسونَ مِنْ شِدَّتي

وضَيّقَتْ خَطْوِيَ بعدَ اتِّساعْ

Fifty years have weakened my strength

And narrowed my steps after their breadth

وأتْحَفَتْني خَوَراً ظَاهِراً

وكُنْتُ قبلَ الشّيْبِ عَيْنَ الشُّجاعْ

And adorned me with apparent frailty

Though before old age I was the epitome of courage

تَعْتَرِفُ النّفْسُ ببعضِ القوى

فَأُمْسِكُ النّفْسَ ببعضِ الخِداعْ

The soul admits to some of its powers

So I restrain it with some deception

أَنْسَاني الدَّهْرُ ولَمْ يَنْسَني

والمَوت قَدْ يُودي بِمَنْ في الرَّضَاعْ

Time has made me forget but I have not forgotten time

And death can claim even those at the breast