1. On the bank of the valley stood a lofty palace
Towering over the gardens like a citadel

2. Built in the same style with the same pillars
There was no sight more pleasing

3. Had al-Nu'man seen it he would have said it was Khawarnaq
And how often have they wrongly favored one over another

4. There the lord of the palace was told one night
Of his first newborn, the noblest of creatures

5. So he became in the hall like Chosroes of the age
Guarded by soldiers holding lances

6. And the vast halls of the palace were crowded
With people congratulating the Prince insincerely

7. Neither liking him nor wanting his friendship
Nor for the beauty of his radiant cheeks

8. Nor for the perfection rarely found
But out of fear like startled cattle

9. Leave them and their master be
And go to the humblest of inns

10. See the night has let down its curtains
And afflicted them with all kinds of worries

11. And poverty had nearly made its roof cave in
And if the wind blew, nothing could stop it

12. Inside were a husband and pregnant wife
Her labor pains warned of hardship ahead

13. So she woke her worn out husband
And the maids to help with the delivery

14. And said to him, "My time has come, so fetch
A midwife to deliver me before anyone else"

15. So he went around the neighbors seeking help
With tears flowing down his cheeks

16. But no neighbor responded to his call
Even if the lightning in the sky answered with thunder

17. And were it not for the light of the palace that night
He would have drowned in the valley in darkness

18. And as he approached the house, he hesitated
Confused, not knowing what to do

19. He saw it was awkward if he let out her secret
And shameful for anyone else to know the truth

20. Her husband's poverty made him anxious
When he approached the house in the dark of night

21. On his sallow face were traces of disappointment
Matching his dwelling on the ground floor

22. When his wife saw him return alone
She knew it was improper to blame such a man

23. But her screams in labor interceded
With the first cry of a baby born without anger

24. So he said, "Rejoice, it's a boy you've borne
And if I must carry another burden on my shoulders, so be it"

25. She replied, "God alone is the Provider
No one else, if you but understand the Sustainer"

26. Oh night when two unfortunate babies were born
One wealthy, one destitute - such is the decision of the Creator

27. And how many nights have passed like this, how many
Have revealed these truths to us

28. A boy in soft fine clothes
While the other wraps his body in rags

29. For one the wet nurse paid to feed him
Not wanting food of poorer quality

30. While the other must make do with his mother's milk
Oh how her heart quivers as she nurses him

31. Often her work prevents her from feeding him
So he compensates by going hungry for long minutes

32. Often her work is disrupted by his crying
Whenever he calls her with a piercing scream

33. Those two boys passed their childhood days
One now enjoys all of life’s pleasures, the other remains in the tent

34. Those two branches thrived in their own ways
And the time came for them to take up their paths

35. As for the poor mischievous boy, fate
Led him to the orphan’s school, sent off in rags

36. While the wealthy boy - his father refused
To send him away to school

37. So he brought in a tutor, as was customary
For children of his kind - what an outrage!

38. Years passed as he studied grammar
But was unable to master speech

39. So his learning ended just as it began
And he excelled in doing nothing

40. He spent his free time, which was plentiful
Riding horses and boats

41. He was surrounded by vile people
And scorned cheap tasteless food

42. He became well known among them for extravagance
Oblivious to warnings of sure downfall

43. They rebuked him severely whenever
He clung to the arms of lovers at the tavern

44. In his eyes, nothing was better than
Going out partying or courting a lover

45. How often did he long in those wild nights
For the wealth of one whose heart was captive to passion

46. If only his desires hadn't led him
To squander his money - pity stalled hopes!

47. And when his father passed away
He cared not, though his inheritance was great

48. He didn't even wipe the dust off his father's grave
No tear for the deceased, only longing for unattainable gain

49. So Destitution rolled up its sleeve
And every sweet turned bitter in his mouth

50. In but a few years, from wealthy he went
To dire financial straits

51. During those years, that poor young orphan
Worked hard day and night focused on his lessons

52. He had lost his loving mother and father
Who died in battle amidst the trenches

53. So a widow took pity on the miserable boy
And gave him life - unwavering in her conviction

54. He climbed the government ranks
To gain a position with some clout

55. At the time, medicine was his deepest passion
He forged a path in it like no other pioneer

56. He earned a medical degree
Which lit the way to happiness

57. His character and reputation spread through North Africa
And word of him reached the Eastern regions, too

58. As for the wealthy boy, he bought and sold
Cheap trinkets that even the wretched wouldn't hawk

59. But that tedious trade was soon his
With no blessing stripped away by the Lord of Wealth

60. But wealth alone cannot save a man
And the ignorant are devoid of any weapon

61. So the boy was impacted by this reversal of fate
And his recklessness led him to disaster

62. He turned his house into a gambling den
One frequented by Western lowlifes

63. He spent what little money he had left
Consoling himself that he would get rich again

64. Then he hurried to the public garden
A rifle clutched in his hands

65. He pointed it towards his heart and ended his life
Escaping this world like a fleeing beast

66. Thus death was his final disgrace
And all ties were severed