أصَمَّمَ في الغوايَةِ أَمْ أَنَابا

وَشَيْبُ الرَّأسِ قَدْ خَلَسَ الشَّبَابَا

Has he resolved to go astray or has he repented?

Youth has been stolen by the gray hair of old age.

إِذَا نَصَلَ الخِضَابُ بَكى عَلَيْهِ

وَيَضْحَكُ كُلَّمَا وَصَلَ الخِضابَا

When the dye fades he weeps over it,

And laughs whenever fresh dye is applied,

كأنَّ حَمامَةً بَيْضَاءَ ظَلَّتْ

تُقَابِلُ في مَفَارِقِهِ غُرَابا

As if a white dove hovers over him

Matching the raven in its elegance.