Sol 6.1

  1. So I spent the night counting how many were ruined and changed

    by the blows of death, both subject and ruler.

  2. They struck down Qubadh, lord of all Persia,

    and with their hands kindled Amid’s lightning flashes.

  3. They swept down upon al-Hayqar amid his troops,

    and attacked the lord of Marid by night amid his pleasures.

  4. They brought Turks from the heart of their lands,

    marching with a host like young locusts massed together.

  5. And on the day of al-Haws they drove out the lord of Himyar

    with the spear of a wrathful jinn among the Abyssinians.

  6. And the kingdom of Solomon son of David was shaken;

    and Raydan they consigned to the bare earth.

  7. And after the sons of al-Nasur, nothing of them remained—

    no surviving child, nor remembrance of a father.

  8. And to the kings of the Romans were once brought

    vast sums of wealth, from tribute and more besides.

  9. So never envy anyone for anything he obtains

    from time—neither wealth nor a life of affluence.

Sol 6.1