Over Baghdad is stationed death’s loud herald–
Weep for her, then, weep for time’s rapine there!
Erstwhile, upon her stream by war imperilled,
When in her streets its flames were briefly bated,
Men hoped her happy fortunes reinstated.
Now all their hopes have turned to dull despair!
Since she, from youth to eldritch age declined,
Has lost the beauty that once charmed mankind.

– Abu Tammam (d.846)

Cited in The Travels of Ibn Battutah
tr. Gibb and Beckingham, ed. Mackintosh-Smith