1. Is the death of wives a new wedding,

    and the death of daughters, then, a happy fortune?

  2. The loss of women singles out only the noble, generous man,

    who by nature gives freely of his life and wealth.

  3. For no man is to be consoled over women:

    they are earth, enclosed by earth.

  4. Oh, would that consolation were like this,

    and the noble, mighty al-Kunūd lived on.

  5. There is no doubt that death is a watering-place,

    and all creatures, every one, come to drink.

  6. This abode is not an abode of everlasting life,

    that we should remain upon it as immortals.

  7. For if anyone could endure, the Chosen One would have endured,

    and Hūd, forefather of the illustrious al-Mathāminah.

  8. And if you live, Ahmad, the nights

    are ours, and your sons are a wedding and a feast.

  9. May no one gloat over your deaths,

    and may the envious live in bliss through you.

  10. May abundant praise return to you,

    and may what you dread never return.

  11. And though we are captives of seven,

    as they follow one another, white and black,

  12. death has not missed the white-footed mountain goats,

    nor have the lions in the thickets escaped unharmed.

Sol 6.1