1. Numan, O youth of lineage
With ancestry and birthright

2. Who excelled in time of study
And rounds of knowledge sought

3. Until mastered law, poetry
And literature's art

4. And every useful craft
Cultured and refined

5. Of past and present ages
In non-Arab and Arab domains

6. Yet he knows not of effort
And the ways of livelihood

7. With what he has, content
However meager, however near

8. Should he behold a crown on
An ignorant's head, he's not provoked

9. Or time's injustices swallowed his rights, he's not wearied
Or found a friend turning from him, he's not resentful

10. And if the rose's coral is plundered, it's not plucked
For other than preaching's effect on his heart, it did not thrill

11. His solace he tends
And comfort he finds in books

12. Looking into deeds of worshipers
And eras fickle

13. Comparing his days
To epochs of yore

14. Thus at times at peace
At others in toil

15. Joy appears sometimes
On his face like a planet

16. And at others the gloom of sorrow
Enshrouds him like the horizon

17. You may see him rise
Like a restless colt

18. Then he sways, weak
Surrendering to frailty

19. Perplexing his family
And clan and companions

20. Who know not the cause
Of his puzzling state

21. This one says it's a
Nervous condition that ails him

22. And that one thinks
He's lovesick for grapes' daughter

23. And another says a gazelle's charm
Has entranced the fawn

24. And more than this, all
The malady of the depressed lad

25. His parents weep for him
With flowing tears

26. And mourn his fate
In his ravaged life

27. His father says: My heir
To my office and rank

28. Numan, O most guided
Of my sons and my lineage's root

29. O pillar of my household, my
Refuge when disaster strikes

30. I hoped in you a pillar
To seek when troubles mount

31. And his mother says: My Numan
My tortured one

32. My life I spent on you, hoping
To reap reward I planted

33. That I may see you a man
Among noblemen

34. Favored before the prince
With highest of ranks

35. Perhaps I'll forget what passed
Of vigil and toil

36. Yet I found in you only
Worries that saddened me

37. So Numan revealed not
His affair or reversed course

38. He had a cousin
Of astounding wit

39. Dazzling in beauty, bloom
Of exuberant youth

40. She came to visit her protector
One day in Rajab

41. So she asked about the lad's case
With a kinswoman's gracious care

42. And tried to uncover the obscure
Secret of his odd plight

43. She entered his room
Like an unveiled sun

44. Greeted him, speaking only
Of her sympathy for him

45. And asked him to explain
His frightening, terrifying state

46. So he said: My bliss, I've seen
My nation in discord and chaos

47. Failed in purpose, while efforts
Of its foe have not waned

48. Its state on peaks
While its state is in valleys

49. Each person going
Astray in some misguidance

50. Busy with play and nonsense
Should a guide summon to scripture, he's not repented

51. Until the foe unleashes his woes and war
They stand before his might

52. Like chickens before a fox
And seek help from dogs, cats or rabbits

53. And forget the roaring lion
That wakes and comes closer

54. Who herds them with a vigilance
That does not sleep

55. Who calls on Him for aid
Against the enemy, He answers

56. Until the foe destroys them
With evils and distress

57. Gloating as he strikes them
Seizing all the spoils

58. Who among them feels not
Fear, and who grows not old?

59. Who accepts disgrace, plummets
And who rejects it, flees

60. So I see in them no strength
Against the felonious foe

61. Nor desire for God or Prophet
And he starts crying as children

62. In school cry should they hear
The rock's painful wailing, it melts

63. She said: Would my mother and father
Ransom you, My Numan

64. Life's a sea and the world therein
Like an unfathomable army

65. One who withstands its currents
And turbulences

66. Until he reaches shore
Outpacing all shores

67. I see you drowned
In its turbulent waves

68. Having no health
Or even a little vigor

69. Suppose your people sobered
From the wine of delusion

70. And their zeal ignited
For the sanctuary like flames

71. And they tried to liberate it
From that usurper

72. And chose you as their master
For the select work

73. Would you then rise up
To the qualified cause?

74. And if they called on you as leader
To steer the ship's course

75. How would you manage matters
Of rod and staff?

76. Or if they expect an error
From you, of loose tongue

77. What think you, when you're not used
To addressing the public?

78. Numan, leave this fancy
And languor, shun them

79. Strive for wellness, glory, gathering riches
That those deep in error emulate you

80. Reform yourself first, then set
To reforming your ignorant nation