إِذا خَطَبَ الزَهراءَ كَهلٌ وَناشِئٌ

فَإِنَّ الصِبا فيها شَفيعٌ مُشَفَّعُ

When an old man and a youth seek the radiant one,

Then youth itself pleads on his behalf.

وَلا يُزهِدنَها عُدمُهُ إِنَّ مُدَّهُ

لَأَبرَكَ مِن صاعِ الكَبيرِ وَأَنفَعُ

Let not his lack of means dishearten him, for his term,

Though short, is better than the elder's full span and more profitable.

وَما لِأَخي سِتّينَ قُدرَةُ سائِرٍ

إِلَيها وَلَكِن عَجزُهُ لَيسَ يُدفَعُ

My brother of sixty has not the strength to seek her,

But his weakness cannot be helped.

وَيُخفَضُ في كُلِّ المَواطِنِ ذَمُّهُ

وَإِن كانَ يُدنى في المَحَلِّ وَيُرفَعُ

He is disparaged at every turn,

Though he be honored by rank and station.