-
بر سر دیوار هر کاو تشنهتر ** زودتر بر میکند خشت و مدر
- The more thirsty any one on the top of the wall is, the more quickly does he tear off the bricks and turfs.
-
هر که عاشق تر بود بر بانگ آب ** او کلوخ زفت تر کند از حجاب
- The more any one is in love with the noise of the water, the bigger clods does he tear away from the barrier.
-
او ز بانگ آب پر می تا عنق ** نشنود بیگانه جز بانگ بلق
- He, at the noise of the water, is filled with wine (ecstasy) up to the neck, (while) the stranger (to love) hears nothing but the sound of the splash.
-
ای خنک آن را که او ایام پیش ** مغتنم دارد گزارد وام خویش 1215
- Oh, blest is he that deems his early days an opportunity to be seized, and pays his debt—
-
اندر آن ایام کش قدرت بود ** صحت و زور دل و قوت بود
- In the days when he has the power, (when) he has health and strength of heart and vigour,
-
و آن جوانی همچو باغ سبز و تر ** میرساند بیدریغی بار و بر
- And (when) that season of youth, like a garden green and fresh, is bringing (to ripeness) produce and fruit without any stint;
-
چشمههای قوت و شهوت روان ** سبز میگردد زمین تن بدان
- (When) the fountains of strength and lust (are) flowing, (so that) thereby the soil of the body is made verdant;
-
خانهی معمور و سقفش بس بلند ** معتدل ارکان و بیتخلیط و بند
- (When he is still like) a well-kept house, with its roof very lofty, its sides (walls) symmetrical, without buttressing and clamps—
-
پیش از آن که ایام پیری در رسد ** گردنت بندد به حبل من مسد 1220
- Ere the days of eld arrive and bind your neck with a halter of palm-fibres;
-
خاک شوره گردد و ریزان و سست ** هرگز از شوره نبات خوش نرست
- (Ere) the soil becomes nitrous (barren), crumbling, and poor —never did good herbage grow from nitrous soil;