1. From a weeping lover whose passion lies low
Whose silent tears speak of untold woe

2. With bound heart yet body unconfined
Tormented by rejection, love unkind

3. Freely tears flow though captured his heart
For no sin his hands have played a part

4. Save a love flourished in his eyes
Longing to see the one who agonized

5. As though healed by the one who traumatized
For the root of his harm and benefit the same

6. Alas for the lover and the tears he did cry
Overflowing like heavy rain from a laden sky

7. Melting away consumed by love and fervent desire
Lost in deep thought beyond thought he expired

8. Vanishing almost from thought however considered
Naught remained save eyes overflowing with sorrow

9. With tears like beads strung on a wire
Dousing fires of love and fanning its pyre

10. As if rain drops from heaven inspired
Nay, for Qais blood shed not for a tear

11. For a doe-eyed Christian girl there did he pine
Surpassing all maids in beauty divine

12. All people bewildered since time began
Captured by love – slaves to her command

13. Citing the words of a wise man well versed in love
Amro I adjure you in Christ's name

14. To heed the advice which I now proclaim
From a heart that is wounded and nursing its pain

15. For in love there is no comfort or gain
Like a heart unrestrained and refusing the rein

16. Amro, I swear by the true theology grand
By the Spirit, the Holy Ghost, and by Christ the Son of Man

17. He who was gifted with traits no other ever began
To speak from the crib, then to silence succumb

18. Raising the dead from their graves when life was done
By the man born of Mary yet Son of the Lord

19. After death dressed in garments deserved as reward
And was pious and faithful – blameless applauded

20. Healing the blind and the lepers when called
By the miracles granted and signs He bestowed

21. By the master of birds brought to life yet again
And the dead raised from tombs among women and men

22. To whom all matters will come to pass and then end
He knows all on land and in oceans depth extend

23. However fate's judgment may shift or may bend
By those kneeling devoted in prayer day and night

24. In the lofty cathedrals awash in pale light
Weeping when all are asleep as darkness takes flight

25. Fearing God with plentiful tears glimmering bright
Shunning earthly pleasures their whole lifelong plight

26. By the monks tonsured and garbed in their robes
Enduring privation content in their homes

27. Ringing bells as if heaven avowed
Lighting candles for Jesus aloud

28. True in secret and public they vowed
By Mary, mother of Christ, and disciple named Paul

29. By Simon the Zealot and Peter the Rock standing tall
By Daniel, by Jonah, by saints before the Fall

30. By Ezekiel, Jerusalem, prophets and all
The devoted whose hearts were expansive and broad

31. By Nineveh humbled and pleading His grace
Repenting his sins, seeking God's loving face

32. Burdens all lifted, transgressions erased
Favored by God as compassion He did trace

33. When from his Lord fortitude he did embrace
By myrrh's medicinal might over madness and fear

34. By blessings of olives and dates every year
By the fertility of verdant land far and near

35. By Simon's account that we frequently hear
By exalted feasts Easter, Cross, and Ramadan

36. By Mary's Day honored, Ashamouny time span
By triumphal Palm Sunday, noble in fame

37. Seasons that bar women heavy with child
By Isaiah, incense that make babies mild

38. That cure every illness that weakens or riles
Dispelling evil toxins from joints and blood vials

39. For no affliction can thwart it or beguile
By seventy saints of exemplary style

40. Who spread our faith far and wide with their toil
Guiding the lost until all were reconciled

41. Until truth prevailed and falsehood reviled
By the twelve tribes who set out with a smile

42. And walked the straight path reciting God's words
Till dawn broke and darkness disappeared

43. Favored by God, by His grace persevered
Giving thanks, His great gifts they endeared

44. By the unchanging Gospels' decree
Of forbidden and permissible, we agree

45. By the virgin Mary, Joseph venerable and free
Generations ago and those yet to be

46. With wisdom gained and passed hand to hand
By Mar Aba the pious, esteemed for his care

47. By Luke the wise man judicious and fair
The martyred, the saints free of earthly snare

48. All people of virtue, compassion they share
Fasting or feasting they equally bear

49. By baptismal water that washes our shame
And altars where candles burn bright as day flame

50. Where monks in their habit God's mystery acclaim
Weeping, praying, their devotion proclaim

51. Tears flowing by night and dispersing by day
By your casual meeting on Sundays to preach

52. Sipping coffee and conversing, just out of reach
With dark eyes whose depth no man's wisdom can breach

53. Cutting hearts without care with nary reproach
Leaving lovers bereft devoid of approach

54. By Simon and the praise he does teach
Glorifying God with perspective and speech

55. Each scholar versed in interpreting screed
Trustworthy, revered for his wisdom and deed

56. His guidance we follow, his words we give heed
Two elders, fountains of knowledge and care

57. Pillars of wisdom, patience, justice they bear
Speaking only words thoughtful and fair

58. Their death gave new life, dissolving despair
Announced by the scholars their virtues laid bare

59. By the bishop, the patriarch, learned guide
The priest and the deacon who grace preside

60. The catholicos supreme, monastics who reside
The saintly elite of repute far and wide

61. Adorned with all virtues both inward and outside
By the hermit secluded on the mountain height

62. By Luke in his prayers imploring with might
By the Christ whom we cherish, his deeds recite

63. By churches established since ancient time
Where scriptures are read and God's praise chimed

64. By each scholar versed in interpreting deed
Guiding all people though himself less than freed

65. By the Lent fast, most honored rite indeed
And the birth of Christ, Son of Mary with speed

66. From the noble bloodline of lineage supreme
By the day of sacrifice shining bright

67. The nativity night glittering light
By true gold unfading – no paper in sight

68. By Easter, O noble one mannered aright
Every hallowed feast day magnificent in might

69. Could you not gentler be with a man of letters
Whose love keeps him far from the one he loves better

70. Melting with yearning for his sweetheart's tender
Though easiest to reach, highest esteem the fetter

71. With excellent morals and character on par
My prince, consider now my condition

72. Rewarding my devotion beyond all measure
Gaining your gratitude, bountiful treasure

73. In prose and in verse forever my pleasure
For my writings find in you their meter and rhyme