قالوا نراكَ طويت عن ذكرِ الصِّبا

قالوا نراكَ طويت عن ذكرِ الصِّبا

كشحاً ومثلكَ مَنْ يحنُّ إليهِ

كشحاً ومثلكَ مَنْ يحنُّ إليهِ

They said, “We see you have turned away from recalling youth,

They said, "We see you have forgotten the memory of youth,

though one like you would yearn for it.”

Miserable one! And who is there like you that yearns for it?"

فأجبتُ شيبَّني الزّمانُ ولم أجدْ

فأجبتُ شيبَّني الزّمانُ ولم أجدْ

طَعْمَ الصِّبا حتّى أَنوح عليهِ

طَعْمَ الصِّبا حتّى أَنوح عليهِ

So I replied, “Time has turned me gray, and I never knew

So I answered, "Age has whitened my hair, and never again

the taste of youth, that I should mourn for it.”

Shall I taste the joy of youth, that I should weep for it."