ما لِي إِذا أَجْذِبُها صَأَيْتْ

ما لِي إِذا أَجْذِبُها صَأَيْتْ

أَكِبَرٌ قَدْ عَالَنِي أَمْ بَيْتْ

أَكِبَرٌ قَدْ عَالَنِي أَمْ بَيْتْ

What is wrong with me that, when I pull it, I squeak?

What good is it when I draw her near

Is it old age that has overcome me, or marriage?

Yet older I've grown, or so it would appear

لَيْتَ وَهَلْ يَنْفَعُ شَيْئاً لَيْتْ

لَيْتَ وَهَلْ يَنْفَعُ شَيْئاً لَيْتْ

لَيْتَ شَباباً بِيعَ فَاشْتَرَيْتْ

لَيْتَ شَباباً بِيعَ فَاشْتَرَيْتْ

If only! And does “if only” help at all?

If only, though wishing helps nothing, I fear

If only youth were for sale, so I could buy it!

If only when young I had cherished my dear