دعْ ما نَهى الشّيبُ والسبعونَ عنه فَتِر

بَاكَ الصّبا والشّبابُ الغضُّ قد دَرجَا

Leave what gray hair and seventy years have forbidden; desist.

Boyhood and tender youth have mourned you; both have passed away.

واعتَضْتَ من فَتْكِ أخدانِ الصّبا وَرَعاً

ومن جَهَالةِ أيامِ الشّبابِ حِجى

You have traded the deadly onslaughts of youth’s beloveds for piety,

and the folly of youth’s days for sound judgment.

عُذِرتَ إذ جُرتَ في ليلِ الشبابِ فَهَلْ

عُذرٌ وشَيبُك قد أذكى لكَ السُّرُجَا

You were excused when you strayed in the night of youth—but is there

any excuse, when your gray hair has kindled lamps for you?

وما أساءت بك الأيامُ إذ جَعلتْ

فَودَيك دُرّاً وكانا قبلَه سَبَجَا

The days have done you no wrong in making

your two temples pearls, when once they were jet.