هَل أَنَت صاح أَو مُراجِعُ صَبوَةٍ

أَم أَنتَ فيما بَينَ ذاكَ تُفَكِّرُ

Are you an impetuous youth or one who ponders your reckless days?

Or are you, between the two, lost in thought?

لا بَل أَظُنُّكَ قَد جَنحتَ إِلى الصّبا

وَإِذا صَبَوتَ فَلَيسَ مِثلُكَ يُعذَرُ

No, I suspect you have inclined towards impetuousness,

And when you are reckless, none can excuse you.

إِنِّي حَدَستُ وَقَد نَظَرتُ بِفِكرَةٍ

وَلَعَلَّ ما أخطي إِذا ما أَنظُرُ

I sensed it and looked with an idea,

And perhaps I err when I look.