قد كنتُ أبكي منْ صريمةِ خُلَّةٍ

كان الشبابُ معوّضي أمثالَها

I used to weep for the loss of a beloved

When youth could replace the like of her.

فالآن حقَّ ليَ البكاءُ على الذي

كان المُضمَّنَ عطفها ووصالَها

Now I have cause to weep for him

Who joined us and kept us together.

وعلى الذي لو كان أخلفَ خُلةً

من خُلةٍ أو ردّها فأمالَها

Had he left me one in place of her

Or restored her to me changed,

كم خُلةٍ لي صارمتني بعدَه

لو كان أوجدني بها أبدالَها

How many loved ones since him have chided me

Had he but found me them in substitution!

وإذا شبابُك بتَّ منك حِبالَهُ

بتَّت له منك النساء حبالَها

When your youth is gone its moorings from you,

Women will find their moorings from you.