1. He went on his way, and Ma'n remained,
His noble deeds will never fade or be attained.

2. When Ma'n was stricken, it was as if
The sun was shrouded in darkness and gloom.

3. He was the mountain against which small hills
Were rendered futile by the enemy.

4. The frontiers were vulnerable without Ma'n
Who could make the young plants grow.

5. Iraq was darkened and left distraught
By the calamitous loss that caused its turmoil.

6. Syria kept trembling,
When the pillar of glory began to tilt.

7. The lands of Tihama nearly disappeared,
As did Najd the next morning.

8. If he were to return the lands would bow to him,
As they were exalted by his presence before.

9. Death took on the day it took Ma'n
The most generous of the living.

10. All the people belonged to Ma'n
Until his children visited his grave.

11. No seeker of glory intended
To travel save to Ibn Ziyad's son.

12. Gone is he who could shoulder every burden
And exceed in merit those who request.

13. No delegations ever came for one like Ma'n
Nor pitched their tents in his field.

14. Nor did any givers reach with their palms
A right or left hand from him.

15. His reservoirs of kindness were never dry
For those who came to him with wants.

16. The white-robed one who wouldn't count wealth
Until it reached the destitute.

17. If only death had spared him - he was their sacrifice -
And his life had been prolonged.

18. His treasure was not gold but
Swords from India and fine coats of mail,

19. Horses dark as night yet obedient and calm,
Deeds of praise stored for the virtuous,

20. Favors that if humbled had been
Steeds he disliked to humiliate.

21. With him they charged and he made them leap up,
Returning them with their reins.

22. They warded off calamity and kept him safe,
Though death's specter befell them.

23. Gone is he whom you hoped
Would rectify your life's stumbles.

24. You cannot control the tears that fell
From your eyes, pouring nonstop.

25. In your heart is blazing sorrow,
Like a flaming fire lit.

26. It's as if after Ma'n, the nights
Have joined together and prolonged.

27. You've left me and my children with worries
And sorrows that keep us busy.

28. A woman who saw me said, astonished,
"He's changed in body and demeanor."

29. She saw a man whom sadness had aged
And caused sickness and anxiety.

30. "I see Marwan has returned gaunt
As an Indian sword that lost its polish."

31. I said to her, "What you see changed in me
Is deep sadness that struck high."

32. "Days of sorrow rotate,
Altering man's state again and again.

33. After you, people see us in times
That have not been kind to our forefathers.

34. We are like cups, from which times didn't spare
A portion for us or let us subsist."

35. We would quench thirst at your basin
And not reject the overflow.

36. My father yearned for you when gifts
Were made, false and corrupted.

37. My father longed for you when captives
Complained of the shackles bruising their necks.

38. My father longed for you when orphans
Wandered disheveled, as if cast off.

39. My father longed for you when livestock
Suffered drought, dying of emaciation.

40. My father longed for you, for every pregnant she-camel
Bearing burdens that weighed down its back.

41. My father longed for you when poetry
Went astray in praise of the undeserving.

42. My father longed for you in every matter
For which the honorable would say, strategize!

43. We stayed in Yamama, having despaired
Of staying in a place we didn't want.

44. We said, where can we go after Ma'n
When gifts and hospitality have departed?

45. If you are gone, many are the horses
Whose bridles you've pulled with strength.

46. You were a spring for some people,
And a calamity for others.

47. None who witnessed your feats was firmer,
More forbearing when wronged, and harsher in affliction.

48. The Caliph, when matters trouble him
And he lacks men, will remember you.

49. He won't forget your exploits against enemies
That brought them ruin and woes.

50. A battlefield you witnessed defending
That even its knights disliked to fight in.

51. The brother of Umayya will remember you in elegy
Along with praise you were given.

52. Every year he journeyed close to you
Prolonging his stay at Al-Wasit.

53. In sorrow, he shunned travel
And swore never to saddle his mount.