1. He drew near and greeted a passerby
Resembling an apparition glimpsed at dawn

2. Despite the protests of the wise, he hastened between them
And was to them a treasure and hope

3. My time allowed me once to see him
And after meeting him did not allow me a meeting

4. So I saw nothing but a gallant youth
In whose presence I witnessed both old age and youth

5. The length of his cheekbones accentuated the brightness of his face
And in his orbits two stars shone

6. The range of his shadow diminished because of his tallness
And he towered over far horizons, both venerable and brilliant

7. And in his chest an ocean of knowledge that did not strain
That small chest, its vessel

8. He speaks gently, his softness does not
Impede resolve or hinder radiance

9. Bent on acquiring from every sought goal
That which ever hardship he calls strain

10. He reaped the garden whatever would please his fancy
So his drink is sweet or his food savory

11. And nothing has refined minds like his eloquence
Or honored literature and men of letters like he

12. He dives for distant pearls in remote places
And brings them out shining clearly for the discerning

13. And he searches for what ignorance makes its people lose
And guides them towards a decoration and wealth

14. He is careful that merit is not deprived of its due
And that reward not be lacking amongst mankind

15. So if merit pertaining to him is mentioned, he apologizes
As if the broadcasting of it shyly embarrasses him

16. Shall I ever forget, for as long as I live, Ismâ‘îl’s favors
By which I have gained everlasting youth and subsistence

17. He granted them to me before we were acquainted
Bestowing upon me what I do not deserve of praise

18. And my gratitude for him falls short due to his extreme modesty
So how can gratitude that comes as elegy suffice?

19. And never can poetry, however beautiful, fulfill it
Even if it were anthologized - it would still fall short

20. Lo, O you who depart without remorse or grief
Or craving agony and weeping

21. You refused to accept injustice, patiently
In a time in which you acted gracefully and it was ungraceful

22. And life spared you disdain for its affairs
When dignity within it wanders destitute

23. Your place in the world is indeed empty except
Its expanses are filled with might and refusal

24. In your distinction, you repelled a doctrine
And confounded a ruling that bewildered the wise

25. You were in ease and hardship
Enlightening with your lofty view the nobles

26. So your kindly nature prevailed over sorrow
And issued a decree before ordainment ordained

27. Is it of madness that the pitcher and what is in it
Of filth is discarded and distress alleviated?

28. And does the soul of the dignified accept
Debasement when the affliction has rendered medicine prohibitive?

29. When disgrace in love of life is its disgrace
No land can become heaven

30. Your abode—let creatures incline an ear
The guided and the foolish

31. Pages you left will remain for people’s benefit
And the precious inheritance will not vanish without a trace

32. And homelands will remember you on their days of pride
When they recall their extraordinary minds

33. As for me, I grieve for you, utterly stricken with grief
My cup of bitterness and misery overflowing

34. I say, “Condolences to family, companions and protectors
And to me and the likes of me I say, ‘Condolences’”

35. The link of our names I see as kinship
And I consider it above brotherhood, fraternity