1. جرى القضاء بأن نحيا إلى قدر

    فلا يقينا حمى من ذلك القدر

    It has been decreed that we live until our appointed end,

    So no refuge can protect us from that fate.

  2. وحيث لا بد من موت لذي اجل

    فقلما الفرق بين الطول والقصر

    And since death is inevitable for anyone with an allotted lifespan,

    Then say: what difference is there between a long life and a short one?

  3. فيفرح الناس في موت لذي ضرر

    ويحزنون لذي نفع بلا ضرر

    So people rejoice at the death of one who caused harm,

    And grieve for one who did good without harm.

  4. كناصر الدين نجم من قضى فحكى

    بدراً هوى من سماوات إلى حفر

    Like Nasir al-Din Najm, who died and thus resembled

    A full moon fallen from the heavens into pits.

  5. سموه نجماً لمرباه بافق علا

    وانه في السنا ابهى من الثمر

    They named him Najm—a star—for his upbringing on a lofty horizon,

    And in radiance he is more splendid than fruit.

  6. متى تضيء كفر متى بطلعته

    ومنه تحظى نوادي الحي بالسمر

    When will Kafr Matta shine with his countenance,

    And through him the community's gatherings enjoy evening conversation?

  7. على ابن يوسف نجم المجد واسفا

    أليس يؤسف فقد الماجد الخطر

    Alas for Yusuf's son, Najm, glory's star!

    Does not the loss of a noble, eminent man cause grief?

  8. قد عاش نجم في عشيرته

    ومات وهو جليل غير محتقر

    Indeed, Najm lived among his clan,

    And died revered, not despised.

  9. فعاش بالمدح ممن كان عاشره

    وانه بعد موت بالمديح حري

    Thus he lived praised by those who kept his company,

    And after death he remains worthy of praise.

  10. له يحق البكا وجداً لفرقته

    بل الثناء لدى الإمساء والبكر

    He deserves tears of grief at his parting,

    Rather, praise at evening and dawn.

  11. جرت عليه دموع في مناحته

    على الخدود بل الأثواب كالمطر

    Tears flowed for him in mourning,

    Over cheeks—indeed, over garments—like rain.

  12. كل العيون تعشت بالدموع كما

    كل القلوب تغشت فيه بالكدر

    All eyes grew dim with tears, just as

    All hearts were shrouded in sorrow for him.

  13. ابقى وان مات في الدنيا مآثر لا

    تنفك بعد ذهاب العين في الاثر

    Though he died, he left noble deeds in this world that never

    Cease to leave their mark after his person is gone.

  14. مكمل الوصف لا تحصى مكارمه

    بحمل الذات في أوصافه الغرر

    Perfect in his qualities, his virtues cannot be counted,

    With his very self bearing his resplendent qualities.

  15. تلك المحامد تحيي ذكره ابداً

    والمرء من غير ذكر غير معتبر

    Those praiseworthy deeds keep his memory alive forever,

    And a man without remembrance is held of no account.

  16. مني يمين لقد ابدت شمائله

    مع الجميع جميلاً غير منحصر

    I swear: his character indeed displayed

    Boundless kindness toward everyone.

  17. تبكي عليه على خبر اقاربه

    كما الاباعد تبكيه على الخبر

    His relatives weep for him at the news,

    Just as strangers weep for him at the news.

  18. وعارفيه سألناهم بسيرته

    هل فيه عارو الا فهو منه عري

    And we asked those who knew him about his conduct:

    Is there any fault in him? If not, then he is free of it.

  19. قالوا جميعاً على الاجمال كان به

    كل الجميل ومن كل العيوب بري

    They all said, in sum, that he possessed

    All that is good, and was free of every fault.

  20. لا عار فيه سوى ملقى الفقير بما

    يغنيه دهراً وملقى السفر بالسفر

    He had no fault save welcoming the poor man with what

    Would sustain him long, and welcoming travelers with meals;

  21. وغوته الملتجي في كل نازلة

    وعونه المرتجي والبشر للبشر

    And his aid to those seeking refuge in every calamity;

    And his help for those hoping for it, and cheerfulness toward people;

  22. وخوفه ثم تقواه لخالقه

    وانه في الأمور الصالحات جري

    And his fear, then his piety, toward his Creator;

    And his being bold in righteous deeds.

  23. وانما الفرق في دنيا وآخرة

    بالحسن والقبح في الاعمال والسبر

    And the distinction in this world and the next lies only

    In the goodness and badness of deeds and bearing.

  24. وانه أهل معروف ومعرفة

    وذو ذكاء وذو فضل وذو خبر

    And he was a man of kindness and knowledge,

    And endowed with intelligence, merit, and experience.

  25. وفي عهد ووعد حاذق فطن

    سالي الدنا سالم سامي المقام سري

    Faithful to covenants and promises, skilled and perceptive,

    Unconcerned with worldly things, blameless, lofty in station, noble.

  26. وساد في قومه العالين من صغر

    وحاز فيهم ذرى مجد على كبر

    And he excelled among his exalted people from youth,

    And attained among them glory's summits in later years.

  27. وصار مرثاه تاريخاً وناح كما

    ناح الحمام لفقد الألف في الشجر

    And his elegy became a chronogram, lamenting as

    Doves lament in the trees for the loss of a beloved companion.