ولَّى الشَّبابُ وكنتَ تَسكنُ ظِلَّهُ

فانظُرْ لنفسِكَ أيَّ ظِلٍّ تسكُنُ

Youth has departed, while you dwelt in its shade

Consider for yourself, which shade will you dwell in

ونَهَى المَشيبُ عن الصِّبا لو أنَّهُ

يُدْلي بحُجَّتهِ إلى مَن يَلْقَنُ

And old age prohibited youth, if only it

Could argue its case to whom it lectures