Sol 6.1

  1. May whoever sleeps after your loss be your ransom,

    and whoever feels longing when the doves coo.

  2. And by that ransom I meant my own soul, not one

    who sleeps through his duties and goes unblamed.

  3. Alas, the noble steed has died: no swirling dust

    in which wars rage, and no blaze.

  4. And whenever a renewed battle raged,

    he raced, with violent death his running mate.

  5. When you sent him toward the finish lines, they prayed—

    the ranks of horses, with him as their imam.

  6. He grew skilled in battles while still a colt,

    with neither saddle upon him nor bridle.

  7. Then, when he had left no rival upon the earth,

    death sought him out and suddenly overtook him.

  8. And he had accustomed scavenging birds to food

    and draughts of blood when wine was denied.

  9. Then, when he could no longer rise, they came to him,

    and he told them, 'I am that food.'

  10. And he gave his life when he could find nothing

    to give; such are noble steeds.

  11. And you were the full moon, overtaken by an eclipse

    that boded ill just as it attained its fullness.

  12. May you not be distant, though taken far from us;

    for this life has no order.

  13. If echoes do not dispel my cares,

    would that horses were echoes and owls.

  14. Time's vicissitudes have folded away your steed, O son of Yahya;

    so sleep no longer revisits my eye.

  15. Nor was I beside him the day he died, to hear his complaint—

    his low whinny telling what sickness had done.

  16. Nor did I learn of the night a body was dragged away,

    whose mighty favors to me had multiplied.

  17. Did I not adjure you to tell me:

    'Is the gallant one being carried on the bier?'

  18. They went on, carrying him in turns, light-footed,

    those charged with guarding him against neglect.

  19. They despoiled him, yet stripped no coat of mail away;

    swords and arrows had glanced off him.

  20. Does death slay him, the mightiest of rivals

    and the noblest, while base men plunder him?

  21. Abu Isa, take comfort; may I ransom you with my life,

    for death is a rival none can overpower.

  22. Remain in Ismail's shade, and you will be assured

    of recompense, safety, and continuance.

  23. If the vizier remains for us and among us,

    then tell Time to perish, and mankind with it.

  24. With this I admonished a brother and mourned a possession,

    and discharged the trust. Peace.

Sol 6.1