1. Do you deter me with blame while fate deters
And are appalled by my complaints though woes appall more

2. And bid me have patience though patience for my like
Is hard, obstructed in its course and cannot last

3. And wonder at my shedding tears yet my heart
Is darkened by my tears I weep and most prodigal

4. I've seen of fate what you have not and heard
What you can't hear though fate makes deaf its victim

5. Not Hudham or Zainab made my heart delight
Nor Rabi'a or Laila grieve me overmuch

6. But fortunes archers aimed their shafts at me
With blows not even coats of mail could thrust

7. All who depart will return but death the inn
Of no return has no chambers for the guest

8. Many asleep under the soil who in the tomb
Have places decked and ready for their rest

9. My eyes seek but a glimpse of them and fail
While my heart's spying shepherd roams to their bequest

10. And I suppose my gain is only tears
I pour and plaints to unhearing walls addressed

11. How many friends I've mourned already and how often
Keened and wept and cried how many tears expressed

12. Nor were the turns of fortune satisfied
With all the blows on me they had impressed

13. Not content to bereave me of the one whose loss
Left my heart shattered, severed in my chest

14. Till I was struck down by the stroke whose wielder was
My only comfort on the day distress

15. To older wounds were added injuries new
Fires heaped on fires that rage within my breast

16. Youth's zeal is wasted on the aged and the plans
I built in hope are leveled with the rest

17. Oh what a state where glory lies disgraced
And mighty works decay and are divested

18. A man whose wrath spared any but himself
Who interceded for all transgressors' bequest

19. A man whose nature was to spread good cheer
To give the sad heart ease and gentle rest

20. Console Abu Duhman for this unforeseen event
Whose ordained writ no creature can protest

21. If all horizons narrow for what came to pass
Your judgment in their breadth finds roomiest

22. If death has claimed your brother passing is
The solace for calamities long suppressed

23. What kings before him died while pleasure domes
And all their joys and music were divested

24. Where is the son of Dara, Khusraw, Caesar gone
And he who reigned two days where is Tubba's bequest