1. Do you not see how fate does not stay the same?
At times secure, at others filled with woes.

2. I seek deliverance, but cannot attain it,
Just as others like me could not escape death.

3. Misfortunes descend on us, confirmed,
Pouring whatever they wish on soul and wealth.

4. They said, "When will this youth reach safety?"
I see nothing in the nights but destined ends.

5. Generosity leads to stinginess, well-being
To sickness, glory to abasement.

6. I did not delight in the days of perfection, so
The youth feels loss only when complete.

7. Oh, how I wish I knew, while desires allure,
The unseen future's secrets and twists!

8. With what kind of misfortune will these tribulations
Take me from my family and possessions?

9. What bitter fruit in the hand of fate
Will I taste, that it may taste me in turn?

10. How unjust for tribulations to spare the despised,
Toss aside the sincere, or expel the lost!

11. Why do they seek to destroy me, yet preserve
My body, after annihilating my riches?

12. We meet fears in the world, yet feel safe,
Seeking might in the world through submission.

13. Evils are made easy for us at every dawn,
With none hating or blaming them!

14. No pleasure comes but after pain,
No health lasts but after illness.

15. So I did not feel safe except wary,
Did nothing with it but busywork.

16. A messenger came from afar to tell me words
Increasing my worries and confusion.

17. He claimed to bring the coolness of certainty,
Kindling a blaze within my ribs.

18. A tragedy announced to me the loss
Of the pillar of faith, diverting all my states.

19. Had I been able, my soul would not begrudge him,
I would split open my heart, not minding my robe.

20. But since my hands could not reach the depth of this loss,
I remained tearing at my hopes and aspirations.

21. I say, while the dwellings around me are desolate,
“Who exchanged inhabited for abandoned abodes?

22. Who drove the lion out of that lair, and who
Brought down the soaring one from the highest perch?

23. Who shook the firmly rooted mountain,
And folded up the towering heaven?

24. Who untied the mind of death within him, then flung
The feet of the outrunning horse into shackles?

25. Who rivaled the pouring rain with a small cloud?
Who measured the sea with a mere measure?

26. Who competed with the sun until it hid them with motes?
Who weighed the deafening thunderclap with scales?

27. I ask the King of the World, why did his step slip
When he was firmly fixed, not subject to change?

28. How did a calamity that struck him overwhelm him
When he dispelled calamities with calamities?

29. How did the cupbearer wander the wilderness alone,
Attended by companions and shade?

30. How did the sublime one fall wretched in a ruin,
Having lived in the height of luxury?

31. How could he not give me a small share of his burden,
A mule to carry my heavy loads?

32. How did that hero who granted salvation and guided
Every stray wanderer get lost in the hands of fate?”

33. Who is left for the throne, before which heads bow
In awe and reverence allotted between them?

34. Who is left for the court, when delegations throng it,
Humbly facing the eloquence of speakers?

35. Who is left for the destitute, when afflicted by his loss,
On a morn harsh in reckoning wealth?

36. Who is left for the excellent, whose qualities he perfected,
Bending low, bloodied, with utmost veneration?

37. Rivals like snarling ostriches provoked,
Swords bare of scabbards, sharp and ready for war,

38. Or stallions let loose to raid every barren land,
Swarming for provender, unbridled and importunate.

39. Who is left for the spear, which observers said,
“None but the tall shake this spear!”

40. Who is left for the swords to bare themselves
From their sheaths and don the garb of heroes?

41. Who is left for the schemer whose plotting tested him
With the rubbing of mangy camel's scab?

42. Who is left for the silent battalions,
In whom the slash of the blade clamors loudly?

43. In them rages every hot-tempered wastrel,
Lean and whip-trimmed like date branches,

44. Who when he walks in his coat of mail appears
Tossing the soft branches of a willow.

45. With a gaze whose fiery threats
Burn like the sparks of a sandy valley.

46. You threatened to abundantly repay me, so
Now I am content, after threats, with family.

47. I am not content, still hoping in others,
While despair flashes constantly in my mind.

48. In every dilemma you were a burden upon me,
Now I roll up my sleeves to confront them myself.

49. You were once my helper when I called out victorious
To myself and my family in adversities.

50. Oh you who sought me, take a bequest from me,
Nothing prevents what I fear or binds me.

51. Hasten today to exact from me your vengeance,
I have given what I never gave lavishly.

52. Death has shaken my supporters and protectors,
And convulsed my pillars and mountains.

53. He who used to gaze upon me with lofty glances
Has now harmed me with this abasement.

54. I have grown to doubt what I knew of you,
Intent upon it, yet averting it from my mind.

55. I ask the traveling party, though I know as much as they,
Seeking insight into my confusion and dilemma.

56. A tomb in glorious Kufa we follow
Each day with processions and laments.

57. As if a sweet-smelling musk blown
From your perfume or a bedewed bouquet.

58. They did not bury you in it, but poured out
Pure kindness and favor you did not know.

59. I am a rain cloud watering it,
For you are in it, undoubtedly!

60. Your generosity vessels brimming over
With abundant prayers of God descend upon it.

61. Covered with dripping sentiment, flowing all night,
If they remain until dawn, they arrive with rewards.

62. Decay has not touched you as it touches mortals,
And if you decayed, your known virtues did not.

63. The good you used to do has been replaced
Where salvation is for one whose deeds endure.

64. So if you are forgotten, remembrance remains with me,
And if one day my heart becomes distracted, others will remember.