وقالتْ حملْتَ حطام السنينْ

وفي ناظريْكَ الأسى والأنينْ

She said, "You carry the debris of years

And in your eyes, sorrow and moaning

تَضُمُّ لصدْرِكَ ما لا يُصانُ

وتسفحُ في الدربِ حُبِّي المصونْ

You hold close to your chest what cannot be protected

And spill my guarded love on the path

وكنتَ المهيْمنُ في المنْتَدى

وكنتَ المطاعَ وكنتَ الأمينْ

You were dominant in the assembly

You were obeyed and you were trustworthy

فقلتُ لسَعْي الفتى غايةٌ

تكونُ المرادُ وقد لا تكونْ

So I said, the striving of youth has an end

That may or may not be attained