1. Go slowly, O Usama, what ails your defeated army?
You are the prince, even if the blamers reproach.

2. They said a lad leads the battalions,
And a youth rules the green hunt.

3. The Prophet grew angry and said: It is I
Whom the angry blamers in their ignorance blame.

4. If they are ignorant of him, I have known his place,
And justice is firmly established with me.

5. And if they cast at him what does ill, they had
Cast before at his father, and the avenger took note.

6. They resented authority in them, yet they are worthy of it.
Each is cautious, resolute, and decisive.

7. Good is in him and in his father, so trust,
O people, and set out toward what I have resolved.

8. They marched off, and his bosom friend remained with the Prophet,
And worry stood between them, crouching,

9. Assailing his couch, and he looked to see what
Fate had done, and his cares accumulated,

10. The sickness of the Prophet grew strong over him, so his heart
Was inundated by a surge of grief, churning,

11. And Usama saw, so he folded up with his army,
While sorrow was overwhelming, and the tears unstoppable.

12. The chosen Prophet died. Dead is he who
Gave life to people's souls when they were decaying.

13. The Prophet died! So every horizon frowned,
Grieving for him, and every atmosphere turned gloomy.

14. Dead is he who prescribed life honorable,
While people are evil and life blameworthy.

15. Dead is he whose wonders of goodness
Healed minds and their chronic illnesses grew worse.

16. For his death, minds inclined to justice lost balance
And powers drawn taut went limp.

17. After Muhammad's era the world of kingdoms is
Renewed sorrow and the eras gloomy.

18. May God pray upon you! His decree, though blamers claim,
Is certain, be they stubborn.

19. Ibn Zayd returned with the battalions, their resolve not weakened
By the momentous event, overwhelming and devastating.

20. The Caliph walked clinging to his stirrup
As if he were a driver or servant.

21. But the Prince refused, saying: Below you is my conveyance.
Do not walk! If you do, I will be ungenerous.

22. And if you refuse, I will dismount out of respect,
So decide your command—no strong opponent thwarts you.

23. The Caliph said: I do not see you as fair.
Let me be! For the Islam has an enduring right.

24. I am one of your soldiers—if I ruled I would be beneath the banner.
Ruined or safe, whichever He wills.

25. The farewell was decided, and he returned retracing noble steps,
Guarded for Islam by a Merciful Lord.

26. Go slowly, O Usama! The war mares did not die.
They are what you see, and holy war is eternal.

27. When the skinny horses and chargers grow weak,
The Muslims are skinny horses and chargers.

28. O shameless reproacher of the brilliant moon, farewell!
Did any reproacher kiss the stars before you?

29. It is, O brother of yearning that makes glad, a kiss
Whose pleasure no longing wanderer has tasted.

30. It may be—and in its sweetness there is agony—
Bitter in taste, though ecstasy burns.

31. Shake the Roman hordes, destroy their kingdom
In its lofty glory! Excellent destroyer!

32. They killed your father, so do not leave them be or seek refuge
From them but in your Lord. He will protect you.

33. You routed their masses, and they scattered.
Your cohesive army healed you of them.

34. You held back your horses in the meadows of their land,
Did your deed, while they bit their fingers in chagrin,

35. Killing and capturing undermined their resolve,
Humiliated and disgraced them—thus the wrongdoer is punished.

36. If you plundered their lands and date palms
After they did wrong, you have no blamer.

37. Return, O Son of Zayd, victorious with the banner,
And enjoy—Muhammad's camel is haltered for you.

38. This is Abu Bakr walking in his company,
Approaching you joyfully as your conveyance arrives.

39. They congratulated you, and you deserve what
They did, and it suffices that the sleeper awaken.

40. Thank the favor of God, O Sheikh of turmoil!
He who blamed the lad will regret it.

41. Love of the Prophet—good tidings! For him it is
Glory above the stars' supports.

42. What will the spiteful now say after
Umayya thanked you for what you did, and Hashim?

43. Excuse them—that is old Arab zeal
That exhausted the ancients in eras long past.

44. Man sees of the light of truths what he sees,
Not what illusions and claims show him.

45. And people, when they act, if they do
Good, the nobler souls are greatest.

46. Lineage and age have no sway in
What praiser or critic says about them.