تذكرَ من عاداته ما تذكرا
وأعولَ أيامَ الشباب فأكثرا
He recalls the habits of his youth in part
And mourns his bygone days of prime with sighs aplenty
وما برحت عاداته مستقرةً
ولكن أجل الشيب عنها ووقرا
His ways remain unchanged and firmly set
Though grey hairs prompt decorum and restrain his jaunty guise
يهم ويستحي تقارب خطوهِ
فيترك هم النفسِ في الصدرُ مضمرا
He yearns but feels too shy to tread the palace bowers
Leaving his heart's desire concealed within his breast
ولم يبقَ فيه إذ تأملَ شخصه
شفيعٌ الى الحسناءِ الا تنكرا
No intercessor has he left to sway the belle
Save his own self - but changed beyond all knowing!
ألا لا أرى في العيش للمرء مِتعةً
إذا ما شباب المرءِ ولى وأدبرا
In life no joys remain for man
When youth has fled and age comes tottering nigh.
