Shorter Pieces of Arabian Poetry: To Youth, by Ebn Alrabia, in His Old Age

TO YOUTH. BY EBN ALRABIA, IN HIS OLD AGE. YES, Youth, thou’rt fled, and I am left, Like yonder desolated bower, By Winter's ruthless hand bereft Of every leaf and every flower. With heaving heart and streaming eyes, I wooed thee to prolong thy stay, But vain were all my tears and sighs— Thou only fled’st more fast away. Yet though thou fled’st away so fast, I can recall thee if I will; For I can talk of what is past, And while I talk, enjoy thee still.