Excerpts From Laila's Poems For Tauba

O eye, weep tears continually flowing,
weep for Tauba in hidden fear;
for a man of Banu Sa'id that I suffer for.

What was it that took him to a stony grave,
from the pure grammar and the rhymes
like spearheads and a thing not shared?




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He reached the heights of things with ease
when they tired every bounteous noble.

He was honey—-no, I see a beehive his likeness,
with the liquor of reddest Baisan wine. 


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O, bravo the man you were, Tauba,
when the high points met and the low one were raised.
Bravo the man you were, O Tauba,
not being surpassed on a day you were attempting it.
O bravo the man you were, Tauba, as the fearful
came to you for defense, bravo the bravery.

Bravo the man, O Tauba, as neighbor and friend.
Bravo the man, O Tauba, as you excelled.

By my life, you are a man whose loss I weep
as ancestors, though gossips complain of him.
By my life, you are a man whose loss I mourn
increasing my waking for him no end.
By my life, you are a man whose loss I mourn
when great things multiply for the dying.

Things perfectly done deny for you the blame of men,
O Tauba, each time you are recalled.
Bounty for widows' shelter deny for you the blame of men,
O Tauba, every time you are recalled.

Had Allah not removed you, O Tauba,
yet you had met death's dart, and death is swift.
Had Allah not removed you, O Tauba,
yet on you would a dark morning cloud shower.   

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