1. What is this sorrow churning in my heart,
And your flowing, trickling tears?

2. Have you heard of the army that scattered,
Struck by the crookedness of time?

3. Imprisoned in Kabul, eating their horses
In the most wretched resting place and crookedest valley.

4. No army in the lands met what they met,
So for the likes of them, tell the keeners to wail.

5. And ask Ubaydallah, how did you see them?
Twenty thousand armed and equipped.

6. An elite force the Emir cherry-picked
An army from the Egyptians, unhesitating.

7. You were made their commander, and their prince,
Yet you failed them, while war burned hot.

8. You did not cease exploiting them, as they claimed,
Spitting on them, behaving like the unjust.

9. Selling their rations for a dirham,
While your army still faces blame.

10. You denied them their milk and barley,
And traded in grapes before they ripened.

11. You lashed their skin violently and unjustly
Without flinching, with whips that seared.

12. While the land around you flamed in enmity
Refusing to yield, yet you would not be deterred.

13. They perished from hunger while you lounged,
Gorged, becoming like solid rock.

14. Covered in the milk of sheep and cows,
Like a donkey rolling in muck.

15. You thought you'd never be punished for them,
But Allah's justice comes at dawn.

16. When they died and their legions vanished,
You tried to flee - but what escape?

17. Shuraih refused to be dishonored,
And their scriptures had yet to be compiled.

18. Only a few remained after them,
Had you marched amidst Maragha, none would have survived.

19. Do not tell people of your situation,
And if asked, equivocate and hedge.