1. Alas! Bombs and cannons are of no avail,
Nor palatial dwellings, against death's assail;

2. Why long for freedom, though with zeal we toil,
When fate irresistible the weak and mighty foil?

3. Why seek deliverance from death's bitter cup?
No fortress strong his poison'd shaft can keep out.

4. Death's nature is beyond all thought's ken;
Minds loftiest here must pause, their limits then.

5. In everything a warning voice to man,
Like Shu'aib's to sinful Midian's tribe began:

6. Our life's a journey, and death is our home;
Yet leaving it we sorrow and mourn.

7. Grievous is life if wishes denied,
And many through fruitless cravings have died.

8. Perchance stern fate may yet some solace provide.
Despair not, for the difficult hath been made easy.

9. Death must ensue; who doubts the dying day
Will sweep all human grandeur away?

10. Hope not for any to escape death's rule;
All souls must taste mortality's doom full.

11. Though life looks fair, strangers to it are we,
Who fain would make it our home, could it lasting be.

12. Could life but feel, it then would surely know
Death is true life, did it but see this, I trow.

13. But blind is life; not all who see are wise,
Else would it Myriam's fate philosophize.

14. Consider well her glory's overthrow,
The nothingness of life and pomp below.

15. Mightier than aught they dreaded hath been sent;
E'en boldest hearts are now with terror rent.

16. They've cast away their arms, nor further care
To seek midst future's ruins the arms they bare.

17. Gone are the swords that flashed so bright of yore,
Their sheaths now tell of grief and anguish sore.

18. Their spears are turned to rods, or soon will be
Like some dead tree whose branches fuel may see.

19. They think not of her gracious deeds, but forget
Sweet solace; after her none shall comfort get.

20. Their speech and breath like fire between them rage,
Consuming friendly bonds in passion's furnace.

21. No tears in pity o'er her loss are shed,
Grief brooks no sympathy, its eyes are lead.

22. Peerless queen of angels and on earth,
With glory-robes the years for her gave birth.

23. Oh, may showers like your bounty, or our tears,
Give to your tomb an ever-verdant place!

24. Sadness your garden make bloom again,
Should you be dead; else live, oh precious queen!

25. Your son, the king, whom praises fail to tell,
Quickens dead wastes, and with good deeds doth excel.

26. Lauded by all, worthy he of his name,
Noble deeds e'er performing, he lives in fame.

27. Foes build in hate, he demolishes all,
Time itself fails his structures great to appall.

28. O king, your virtues no eloquence paint!
Our tongues their limit here must represent.

29. If grief now seems of faithlessness the sign,
Meet it with patience, longsuffering divine.

30. To these the wise their solace recommend;
Griefs far more bitter time may yet send.

31. Justice enjoins you should glory increase;
While sorrow whispers, Give away to grief's peace.

32. Great is your merit if you patient prove;
Grief too may claim you, for you too can love.