1. Does the grave in al-Junaynah know that we
Stopped by it to lament the dew and loftiness?

2. We alighted and greeted its efforts - that they
Are the bones of efforts, not the bones of calamities.

3. As we passed by it, its features greeted us
As the meadow greeted the passing does.

4. And that soil did not glisten until
Rivulets of tears filled the watering places.

5. We descended by the backs of our steeds
To wipe away with our hands the flowing tears.

6. And when we struggled with weeping and could not
Refrain from passion, the criers excused us.

7. I say to a caravan passing by, turn aside -
I will show you through it a withering branch of glory.

8. Tether your she-camels around it, for if
We do not find a tethering place, we will tether the rhymes.

9. And pitch your belongings of virtues and heights by it
And shed your tears and eulogies around it.

10. If they were just, they would split their consciences for it
And separate heads with hyenas, not their necks.

11. We stood, so we let flow our tears, and perhaps
They will be substitutions for the pangs of love.

12. O grave, whose enclosure contains
A staff striking the brow of catastrophes!

13. Since Hilal's son passed away, is there
A crescent by the rising of stars still remaining?

14. And those bright peaks of dew - are they
Fountains or cisterns as they are?

15. For if the glow of that tongue still remains,
Then through it a part of glory remains.

16. It responds to calls, driving off and defending,
While there a dumb one who does not respond to calls.

17. I would not complain of the length of his stay in his grave
If when I call upon him he would answer.

18. You see, after his death, his eloquent words
Pour forth from whoever seeks them like blessings.

19. He is the one who dyed pens through which he attained heights
Beyond which aspirants to heights fall short.

20. A repeater of blows with a tongue which, had it
On a day of battle turned back the Yemeni phalanx.

21. Bitter in strength, he attained the heights leaping
When others attained the heights creeping.

22. He went away - no grieving heart escorted him
When he decided, he did not turn back from resolve.

23. Neither those who supported him with palms from his side
Over anguished hearts, nor those who laid him on the bier.

24. Nor did he, in the bosom of death, ward off with a palm
With which to turn back the heat of midday and watering places.

25. After you the valley which you had made intimate
Became desolate, with catastrophes laying it waste.

26. A group of passions settled upon us, grazing
Upon our hearts, its days and nights.

27. If not for you, patience would have been your nature
An inheritance we inherited from the ancient ancestors.

28. I accepted the decree of fate concerning you out of necessity,
For who is he that goes willingly to what displeases him?

29. And I obeyed the one who wanted to snatch you from my hand,
Though had I found helpers, I would have become a rebel.

30. I was resigned so that tribulation would pass by me,
That I might throw off my burden and loose my bridle.

31. You filled the lands with your virtues in your life,
And your resting place will fill the lands with blazing flames.

32. Just as the lofty mention of you silenced all humanity,
So you established in both worlds a flamer.

33. I have elegized you in order to console myself, yet I have increased in agony
Because elegies do not close gashes.

34. And I know that weeping is of no benefit to you,
But still I entertain hopes and wishes.