1. They said: Two viziers—that one's star has fallen,

    and this one's star has risen, ascending.

  2. Thus fate is seen bringing low

    at times, and at times it may be seen raising high.

  3. I said: This comparison—woe to you!—is mere glitter;

    its substance will not take the stamp.

  4. This one came from Amid, exalted,

    and that one came from Fars, submissive.

  5. What a gulf between one appointed from above it,

    who then settled peacefully at its center,

  6. and one promoted from below it,

    who then fell from its summit, tumbling down!

  7. Let us, between ourselves, set aside the hidden,

    and draw on what is apparent and widely known:

  8. 'Ibn Jahir and your Ibn Darast'—

    in what wording could that please the listener?

  9. Is his heart not sealed—

    the man who took a he-goat for a fearsome lion?

Sol 6.1