خان الشباب وما وَفَّى بما عَهِدا

فلا تَثِقْ بحبيبٍ بعدَه أَبَدا

The youth has deserted me, untrue to his word,

So never trust a lover after him, evermore.

قد كنتُ أعهد عزمي في أَوامره

فما أبالي أَغيّاً خُضت أم رَشَدا

I used to be resolute in obeying his commands,

Heedless if led rightly or into error.

حتى رأى من جنود الشيب بادرة

وَلَّى وخَلَّفني في إثْرِها وعَدا

But when he saw the first signs of old age's legions,

He turned and deserted me, leaving me behind.

فكُلَّما رُمْتُ نَصْرا منه يَخذُلني

وكلما رمتُ تقريباً له بَعُدا

Whenever I sought his aid he would fail me,

Whenever I tried to draw near he withdrew.

فظلْتُ أَعتب نفسي في محبته

لما رأت كلَّ شيءٍ بعدَه نَكِدا

So I chide myself for loving him

When all I see after him is misery.