تَأَخُّرُ الشَيبِ عَنّي مِثلُ مَقدَمِهِ

عَلى سِوايَ وَوَقتُ الشَيبِ ما حَضَرا

The lateness of gray hair upon me is like its early arrival

At the time of my vigor, yet the time for gray hair has not come

وَكَم تَعَدَّت يَبيسَ الأَرضِ راعِيَةٌ

مِنَ السَوامِ وَرامَت عَينُها الخُضَرا

How many dried up lands have been crossed by a shepherdess

Of camels, yet her eyes yearned for green pastures

وَأَطوَلُ الحينِ يُلفى مِثلَ أَقصَرِهِ

فَاِسأَل رَبيعَةَ عَمّا قُلتُ أَو مُضَرا

The longest time is met like the shortest

So ask Rabia or Mudar about what I have said