As they left, [my] cheeks filled with tears
and [my] hollow chest twisted with agony.
Their departure did not occur willingly, but reluctantly,
they marched and I do not know what land they traveled.
My friend, what am I to do after them,
give me advice for the advice will be followed.
[Our] get-togethers have become rare, and without him there is for me to do,
my heart is preoccupied and worried about him.
My misfortune holds me back from what I desire,
as the wings of a bird are restrained by a net.
I wish for patience but my heart does not obey me,
how does one rise up whose legs have let him down?
If you have lost a confidant, mourn him with me,
for we all share in that together.
What catastrophe! No one escaped its doing,
among all mankind, it hit slaves and kings equally.
The hands of the enemy took possession of our loved ones, and left no one behind.
For what afflicted them I would pay their ransom,
with my life and what I own.
The house of guidance became idle after their departure,
and the blood of Islam was shed.
Where are those who ruled over all mankind?
Where are those who owned all, where are those who reigned first?
After them I stood in the house asking her
about them, about what they had gathered and owned.
The worn ruins and empty rooms answered:
Yes, here they were and have perished.
Don't mistake tears merely for water flowing down cheeks, for they are the essence of love flowing.
