The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala, LIX

translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani

And even the repentant sinner’s tear
Falling into Juhannam’s very ear,
      Goes to its heart, extinguishes its fire
For ever and forever,—so I hear.

Credit

The Luzumiyat of Abu’l-Ala (James T. White & Co., 1920) by Abū al-‘Alā’ al-Ma‘arrī. Translated from the Arabic by Ameen Rihani. Copyright © 1920 by Ameen Rihani. This poem is in the public domain.

Translators
Ameen Rihani
1876 –
1940