رَمسٌ لِشاكرَ بتلوني الكَريمَ ثَوى

فيهِ فَحَيّا ثَراهُ وَابلَ السُّحُبِ

A tomb for Shakir Batlouni—the noble man has come to rest

within it; may the clouds’ downpour quicken his earth.

رَيّانُ وَلَّى بسنِّ الأَربعينَ وَقَد

أَمالَ غُصنَ صِباهُ عاصِفَ النُّوَبِ

Brimming with life, he died before he had passed forty, though

the tempest of calamities had bent the bough of his youth.

ناحَ التُقَى بَعدَهُ وَالمُكرَماتُ كَما

أَبكى عُيونَ الحِجى والنُّبلِ وَالأَدبِ

Piety mourned him after he was gone, and noble deeds as well,

for his loss drew tears from the eyes of wisdom, nobility, and letters.

قَد ماتَ حيَّ الرَجا عَنّا فَصاحَ بِمَن

يَبكيهِ حَسبكَ واصبر صبرَ مُحتَسِبِ

The living embodiment of hope has died from among us, then cried to the one who

weeps for him: “Enough for you; endure with the patience of one seeking reward.”

وَاِكتُب بِقَبرٍ لَدى التاريخِ بَتَّ بِهِ

أَنا نَزيلُكَ فَاِشفَع يا مُخلِّصُ بِي

And inscribe upon my grave, as its chronogram, this verse:

“I am your guest; intercede for me, O Savior.”