1. Ali ibn Ishaq was ennobled by his conquests
Of strange charms that were the essence of beauty.

2. His words bespoke elegance, but Time lessened them
Leaving only resignation to fate's course.

3. Abu Ali, too late for praise if singers of epics
And songs would seek to do justice to your feats!

4. When you grieved for Raja', I thought you had avenged him
Adequately, in the poignancy of your verses.

5. Yet from his fate you turned aside, unheeding,
Into revels that God prolonged, to your delight.

6. Rather, your joy is in a houseful of gold, though
What was, the day the house was seized, is now no more.

7. Greed made you covet a persecuted elder's estate,
Bowing under sackcloth in Syria's wastes.

8. He appealed to you while the swords rained upon him
As torsos without heads, and heads without torsos, fell.

9. Not like Kulayb's brother when vengeance called him, were you;
Not Saif ibn Dhi Yazan's sword arm in that fray!

10. No ode of yours sought out, as heart's desire,
The noble deeds not asked of craven souls.