1. I recall a pact with youth that passed away,
My tears flowed and lament poured in its memory.

2. And I said, when love's lightning illuminated,
O, youth's pacts! How sweet and gentle were they!

3. When life was tender, youth a garden,
Its flowers plucked, its lights revealed.

4. Pacts of bliss I yearned for, though time has marched on
And the shade diminished their intimacy.

5. It was but like a dream to a slumbering man -
How swift was its departure!

6. Blessed was that esteemed guest during his stay with us,
Had he stayed longer, it would not have wearied.

7. He intended departure before bidding farewell, hastening away,
So the sands of life became his abode.

8. He left us resorting to relics, complaining
To them - but can relics relieve ardour?

9. What pained me more was passing by a school
That revived my passion for the days now gone.

10. How many feet had walked there for love!
How many a glance had tortured my love-lorn heart!

11. Far from sights, sublime is its dignity,
Glorious is it! Blessed is its loftiness!

12. A gathering of remembrance it inspires, guidance it calls to,
Lessons of wisdom it provides, verses of truth it recites.

13. Choice youths have settled there, intimate friends
Who know no waning or ebbing in fervour.

14. They nurse the rosebush if it falls,
And draw the breeze if it grows still.

15. They anticipate no harm from fate -
Never fearing a day or an hour.

16. When pearls fall from their eyes for a beloved's pain,
And their long lashes pour forth the full moon's light,

17. You see the meadow's streams flow with the rain,
I stood still, and they hastened at once,

18. To aim the arrows of their glances,
How many blades were drawn! How many swords unsheathed!

19. Gently, O people! We are the people of guidance,
Reciters of God's book - do not forget virtue.

20. Our utmost hope is to gain a glance,
Our contentment with attaining the bond however little.

21. To God I complain of the ardour I suffer,
And the portion of hardship He has apportioned.

22. O soul! When the days of passion shone for you,
You said to the visitor, welcome!

23. From a glance that led my eyes to weep,
And thought that guided my heart to love-sickness.

24. O father of Ja'far! You surpassed every teacher,
Your guidance leading your children to the ideal path.

25. O blessed dwelling! Father of Ja'far made it
A home, and it made him also its own.

26. You remain a refuge for the zealous, and a bounds
Your protection never weakens or crosses.