1. A trusted friend of mine I chose to confide in
He revealed to me the secret I was hiding

2. He gladdens me at times and saddens me at others
His gains make me happy sometimes, and his losses make me sad

3. I have suffered much distress, and troubles are many
I wished for one who would stand by me against them

4. So I chose none but him from all my trusted friends
For I saw no wrong in doing so at the time

5. And he advised me, do not call him
To your needs - do not think his burdens too great

6. So I did not choose between hope and despair
Nor say, his heart is cold and asleep

7. I wept for him while alive as if he were dead and gone
For the dead are those whose virtues die

8. Do not blame him, o son of nobility, but forgive him
For nothing remains of him but ruins

9. I complain to you Abu Yahya about him
For his qualities have vanished and his traits faded

10. So speak in your elegies of one who was exalted
And is now degraded, so do not persist in blaming him

11. Tomorrow he will be a servant of greed, and greed is his lord
While yesterday generosity was his servant