1. A momentous event has befallen two communities,
A man died though men are few.

2. He's gone from Syria, her hoped-for youth,
And the Nile's neighbor, the relied upon,

3. And the family's merciful and affectionate one,
And from friends he who would not change,

4. And from the matter he who would venture,
And from the truth his unsheathed sword,

5. And from opinion, politics and writing
He whose sound opinion was original and true,

6. My friend though yesterday still living
Today your life seems long ago,

7. Your face's absence hurt me,
Yet the face of affection remains beautiful,

8. Dripping virtue and manliness,
And loyalty leaning wherever it leans.

9. The best legacy the son of Adam leaves in the world
Are tears shed over him by a friend.

10. I wonder what you met with death,
And the barren soil hides you.

11. The living doubt but an instant,
When doubts disappear,

12. The soul returns to the truth wherein,
And sees that the past was confusion,

13. And the sick man takes refuge in it with medicine,
But does medicine avail the hopeless sick?

14. Death is but darkness filling the eye,
And a weight heavy on the breast.

15. Lighter than it are highlands,
Each part kills the other.

16. Life ends then when neither infant weeps
Nor old man is tired.

17. This earth and its people on it
Are a playground, then the acting ends.

18. And Time that authors the tales,
How many scenes it imagines!

19. O noble soul, hard for us is this farewell,
Travel on despite the hearts.

20. If you've left merit with us and nobility,
Gabriel will keep them honest.