1. After prosperity she brought you woe, after sight blindness.
You were quenched with the drafts of parting's sorrow.

2. The realms of glory she left waste and dark.
I plighted it my troth, fed its renown my fame,

3. Till in fulness of fame it parted from me,
As the moon at her full seeks a cloud to veil her.

4. Long in despite of envier and hater he lived.
He died; to live for ever in guidance and bounty.

5. While he lived, life shone white near him.
Now that he is dead our days are become gloom.

6. He gave the sword its right in the death-shudder.
He was well pleased if he saw it flash midst the host.

7. The cheek of dread shone bright at his laugh in all fight.
When to seekers of gifts the glooms gathered swirling,

8. He would give, when the slaves of ambition stood niggard,
Or the brand of refusal those gatherings were burning.

9. Ho for Leyla's undulant meadow, a tomb fit to house
The knight of munificence, might and forbearance!

10. May its dust-clouds refresh where they rise, for they carry
The scent of musk, could but perception attain them!

11. What blame to a land if it yield for its fruitage
No wit and no wisdom, when watered with blood such as his!

12. O house of illustrious sons, ye are left in the day
Of his doom as stars robbed of their beacon in blackness.

13. Gone art thou, O father of braves, yet hast rid us of dule.
Living thou mad'st us renown; dead thou leavest us glory.

14. Thy bounty encompassed all souls, even as now
Thy good sword encompasseth fame.

15. For how many billows of care hast thou broken in souls!
How many redoubts of misfortune thy give has unmanned!

16. Thou art gone and thine orphan unceasing must weep.
Keen yearning devours her; her pilgrim must roam unavail.

17. The doves in the thicket for sorrow-thy sorrow-must moan,
And the rain-clouds of heaven their torrents of sympathy pour.

18. Upon thee be God's peace! 'Gainst thy fate was no refuge,
But with us may thy name be a buckler, thy glory a guard!

19. Now are the days after thee pallid and life but a phantom,
And the zephyr that breatheth thy life in the wold is but pain.