Sol 6.1

  1. I have seen the sons of this world, their help hoped for,

    despite stingy hands and unstable earnings.

  2. And worthier of hope in every difficulty

    are the sons of faith and those who hope for good outcomes.

  3. They are the people; a seeker of their bounty does not benefit you,

    amid the dew of spreading trees and the drizzle of clouds.

  4. Life-giving rains for parched lands, or suns of knowledge,

    lofty hills of forbearance, or stars in deep darkness.

  5. And indeed, in the environs of Almería, one of them is

    truly [peerless?] in character, graces, and virtues.

  6. A remnant of those in the books, in faith and tradition,

    so his presence has stood in for every absent one.

  7. He drew gain from the two sciences of Scripture and prophetic tradition,

    noble in his endeavors, following sound paths.

  8. And he introduced no innovation of another into religion,

    nor rushed away from manifest truth—[ending unclear: ‘no love’].

  9. And I have said only what was conveyed to me

    by successive reports from trustworthy companions.

  10. And but for caution about praise, I would have spoken at length in praise

    of his excellence—the words of a man who does not lie.

  11. If praising the God-fearing is a virtue,

    then praising Abu Ishaq is the most binding duty.

  12. I longed for him, so I made my page my proxy,

    and many a letter stands in for a correspondent.

Sol 6.1