ذَهِلتُ فَلَم أَنقَع غَليلاً بِعَبرَةٍ

وَأَكبَرتُ أَن أَلقى بِيَومِكَ ناعِيا

I was perplexed and could not quench my thirst with tears,

And thought it unworthy to announce your death as a mourner.

فَلَمّا بَدا لي أَنَّهُ لاعِجُ الأَسى

وَأَن لَيسَ إِلّا الدَمعُ لِلحُزنِ شافِيا

But when it was clear that sorrow would not diminish,

And that only tears could soothe the sadness,

أَقَمتُ لَكَ الأَنواحَ تَرتَدُّ بَينَها

مَآتِمُ يَندُبنَ النَدى وَالمَعالِيا

I set up dirges for you, echoing between them

Elegies mourning the dew and highlands.

وَما كانَ مَنعى الفَضلِ مَنعى وَحادَةٍ

وَلَكِنَّ مَنعى الفَضلِ كانَ مَناعِيا

It was not excellence that hindered me, nor arrogance,

But excellence that acted as my preventer.

أَلِلبَأسِ أَم لِلجودِ أَم لِمُقاوِمٍ

مِنَ المُلكِ يَزحَمنَ الجِبالَ الرَواسِيا

Was it for valor, generosity, or for one who withstands

Kings, climbing over lofty mountains?

عَفَت بَعدَكَ الأَيّامُ لا بَل تَبَدَّلَت

وَكُنَّ كَأَعيادٍ فَعُدنَ مَباكِيا

After you, the days have passed - no, rather they have changed,

And become like feasts, only to return mourning.

فَلَم أَرَ إِلّا قَبلَ يَومِكَ ضاحِكاً

وَلَم أَرى إِلّا بَعدَ يَومِكَ باكِيا

I saw none smiling except before your day,

And I saw none crying except after your day.