1. When I saw the sword adorn Ja'far
And a caller called out to the caliph about Yahya

2. I wept for this world and knew for certain
That the utmost a man can attain is leaving this world one day

3. It is but a succession of states after states
Which gives this one power and afflicts that one with anguish

4. When it raises this one to lofty stations
It debases that one to the lowest of levels