1. Noah toiled to build his ark until he died,
Yet no one weeps for that which made Noah weep.

2. Sick with grief, his tears made him bedridden,
But still he persevered weeping on his sickbed.

3. How can I be patient? How can I be consoled
When his helpless cries make me want to slaughter my own children?

4. I tried to soothe his convulsions but he resisted comfort
As his blood continued to drench my garments.

5. He wounded every part of me with his frail body,
Lacerated and battered, the wounded one.

6. So when he died, I died of anguish over him,
As if I were but a body and he my soul.

7. I called upon the intellect to explain it to me;
It said: “Yes, this is what the wise intellect has determined.”

8. May the blessings and prayers of God
Be upon a moon that illuminated the tomb,

9. Upon a flower whose fragrance made the earth
Smell of paradise, with the winds conveying its scent.

10. So he slept in earth’s embrace, his sweet scent still diffusing,
His beauty's light still shining.

11. I avoid his tomb, distancing myself,
While my sorrows alternate as they come and go.

12. But time is against me, so that I rarely
Get to savor his healing shrine.

13. My eyes caught sight of it, so my heart recoiled;
I insist on staying there and refuse to budge.

14. Don’t you see that my heart’s guidance
Shows me clearly what is ugly and what is beautiful?

15. Had the Messiah wanted to test my vision, he would have said
“Your sight is sufficient, oh spiritual teacher.”

16. But my son died, and now I have neither a heart,
Nor sight, nor is death a comfort.

17. So brace yourself, oh afflicted one, with patience,
Else you will miss out on ample reward.

18. Can you deny what has happened or what will eventually happen?
It is your Lord who gives and takes away.

19. My advice to you is: have patience and you will win;
Are these calamities not enough advice for you?

20. I attack so vengeance is taken from us,
Ready to gore any stubborn opponent.

21. I avoid sorrow and plunge right into it -
Has solitude in exile never burdened you during your life?

22. I pour out thanks to our Creator and forget,
So cease moping and tune your reed pipe!

23. I excel while you have cowardly hearts,
So how can thought ever excel?

24. They spoke true, but guide my pillar of faith -
Who will protect me while my enemies run rampant?

25. My lucky star has fallen and my sword failed;
The brave hero has been vanquished.

26. The army of fierce lions is scattered,
And the once flourishing dwellings are desolate.

27. Is Abd al-Ghani in need when in him
Lies the perfection of glorious ambition?

28. He whose hand was kissed by fate has gone,
As has he who rode the wild horse of glory.

29. He who honored his clan while still a child,
And was called a flowing stream of knowledge.

30. At his name the fierce lions fled,
And the sharp sword submitted to his words.

31. The shining moon has set, and the beauty of the full moon faded,
So failed the one who hoped, and the hopeful one.

32. Observe how the dawn has veiled the night,
And how the vast land has narrowed.

33. The singing girls have become forsaken,
More deserving of them than the unkempt drunkard.

34. Delight of the nobles’ eyes, O Fahar!
You were the purest quintessence to them.

35. Your conversation and the morning draughts
Were the people’s most precious final sip and predawn drink.

36. You bled in spite of the glory’s anger until
Your lovely cheerful face changed.

37. You were wounded, but my wound will not heal and close up -
Do new moons bleed or wounds fester?

38. If none but God had made you bleed,
Your blood would have flooded the torrents.

39. It is fate; no shields or citadels
Protect those it has overtaken.

40. My departure draws near, and my supplies are few;
I’ve grown old and my deeds lack piety.

41. I have sinned not in secret,
And repentance blots out my unveiled sins.

42. Why not repent before a day comes
When my whispered sins are laid bare?

43. O Abd al-Ghani, intercede for me tomorrow
So the oft-forgiving Lord will pardon me.

44. And so make happy the wretched one with what he desires,
For proximity to you makes miserable life pleasant.