1. The verse has arrived; may you live on, O scion of those

    Who sat aloft upon the crown of perfection.

  2. And you mentioned that a statement was made—so what

    Was that statement, and who, then, was its author?

  3. Do not marvel, for we have seen many a young man

    Whose steps grew short after they had lengthened and he had grown tall.

  4. He had sat upon the summits of the mountain of guidance,

    Then plunged to the depths of folly and error.

  5. He had been in the fullest light, then fell back

    Into darkness—oh, what a wretched exchange!

  6. He had been a star whose lights shone brightly,

    Then sank willingly among the pebbles of the sands.

  7. His constant refrain had been, “God said;

    His Messenger said”—and excellent indeed were his words.

  8. He had been expected to attain high ranks and eminence.

    Do you think perfection's evil eye struck him with this?

  9. They said, “He reviles the Chosen One's Companions, striving

    Diligently, and opens his discourse with the caliphs.”

  10. And here the skin shuddered, and for him flowed

    Tears down both cheeks, and the debate came to an end.

Sol 6.1