1. In such great tragedies
I see the utmost might of merciless nights.

2. And is there after this tragedy another we may enumerate
Afflicted with knowledge or an affliction with a sage?

3. Afflicted for what was decreed has passed, forgotten, expired,
With it the sorrows of gloomy calamities ended.

4. No anger in it grieving, spreading its sadness,
For the death of men of knowledge is the death of sages.

5. Lamps in the world, when extinguished,
Are darkness for the people in a night of deep ignorance.

6. And signs of guidance in the wilderness by which
Every wanderer in the wilds confused is guided.

7. But this world, by my life, is inclined
To defeat the noble since time immemorial.

8. One who hopes for fire to be lit with water has no hope there,
Not every rational person hopes for its purity.

9. Indeed, O servants of God, the light of nobility has waned today
And the glory of all that is noble has crumbled.

10. And I have been stricken by eloquence and the drawing of swords that rend,
With a tragedy for the affairs of knowledge flowing down gardens of merit.

11. Lighting has struck the gardens where they were blossoming
And this obituary has left them blossomless.

12. Its impact has filled the ears, awakening
Every slumbering soul from heedlessness.

13. Thus let the stars sink into the earth,
Thus let the seas, turbulent, surge and boil.

14. Tidings of glory made me swoon when I heard them,
Silencing all people, making every standing one sit.

15. We have lost a prince who was the pride of our time,
And the stratagem of the noble and protected.

16. We have lost the prince of prose and verse, sublime,
Soaring higher than any fancy has flown.

17. Alas for the words he lent such charm
With his subtlety soft as the gently blowing breeze.

18. And the delicacy of flawless Arabic speech
He adorned by embroidering the craft of the non-Arabs.

19. A consistent system puts the garden to shame with delight,
And subtle ideas roam with the gazelles at rest.

20. The virtues of a soul that sought in its time
Nothing but good and kindness, ever, for mankind,

21. And trod no path but that of valor,
Nor knew any approach but that of probity.

22. The nature of meadows blossoming, aromatic,
From which wafts the fragrance of flowers in bud.

23. And he was wiser than the flint's spark, its lord,
And firmer in judgement than the edge of thin swords.

24. So when he passed away under dust, humbled,
With his death the banners of knowledge fell limp.

25. The eyes of the noble wept for him and demonstrated
Their bereavement, like doves moaning grievously.

26. I have never seen a tragedy that weakened resolve
As this has done, undoing determined decisions.

27. I will mourn him, not boastful, shedding copious tears,
Nor hearing in grief the blame of any critic.

28. And I have no dearer jewels from his words
Than necklaces more precious than rare gems.

29. And I had wearied of poetry until I hated it
And it was forbidden to me, among unlawful things,

30. Until describing him inspired threnodies,
So poetry has become incumbent on me today.

31. Though I was no versifier before,
His description has prepared my diction to versify.

32. So from praising and eulogizing him freely flow
Abundant tears and drafts of outpoured laments.

33. O you who travel from us to the King
Who summoned you to eternal blissful life!

34. By your life, this is the goal of all creation,
Even if the lifespan of creatures reached that of statues.

35. May your God greet you with every comfort
And solace, and may the soil of your grave be shaded with mercy.

36. And we have solace in your son today,
A consolation that comforts the grieving heart.

37. May noble support that brings success endure for us,
And we ask the Lord of Majesty for good outcomes.