1. After five long years you've come to me, oh memories
And dreams between life and death

2. After five years, oh how much sin
Have those years carried of all creatures

3. Saturn roared into the darkness
Covering my star and blocking my paths

4. Scattering my aspirations into separation
While youth and love remain my companions

5. So keep them amidst eternal tragedies
Or leave them and remind me of my whims

6. Bring back some of my dreams, fetch
The essence of my melodies, and make my poems echo again

7. Tell me of the night we called out the "White One"
In stillness I feared would cease

8. And darkness like anger after pleasure
We begged its star to close

9. Terror crouched over it and it melted away
Into black waves and stifling shadows

10. Whenever the spark of flint flashed
It pushed back "the Nile" and overflowed, then passed

11. Warning the caravan who scrambled frightened
When a wicked one falsely claimed

12. A "Hitlerite" star flared up fire and hid in space
My memories, how did you come to me?

13. How did you cross land and sea to reach me?
How did you traverse a bloody universe

14. And raging fires, you indomitable ones?
My memories, renew this legend

15. And turn it into a sweet, passionate melody
It's no wonder you return it to me

16. But it's amazing I'm still alive
To receive you, with my cup in hand

17. And my poem competing on my lips
Your joyful spirits call me:

18. Oh sailor, the time has come - onwards!
It's time to unfurl the fluttering sail

19. My ship, onwards! Do not hesitate
The sea approaches after abstaining

20. And Venice is within reach
This paradise, alas, what snakes!

21. They've breathed deception into its flowers!!
Oh, spare me talk of conflict

22. My life is wasted! Woe to wasted life!
So seek out a moment of love and delight

23. Under a clear, resounding horizon
My sail, roam those lands

24. And prepare for meeting and farewell!
O sea! What has my ship seen?

25. Did it moan from soft tidings?
Or is it truly nearing its end

26. Will this ordeal eclipse its darkness?
Tomorrow will the world meet its end

27. Freely singing its hidden passions?
And will I see freedom too dear to defend

28. Not placed by those who died for it?
O East! Look! Do you see?

29. You are of its homes - where did you lead it?
You defended it and preceded its steps

30. When they said: Its youth has lost the war!
What good news does the crooked tune sing?

31. Who is that shadowy singer?
His voice touched my heart when it touched my ear

32. Of love, or peace, or wishing?
O herald of peace, my judgment does not doubt you

33. I thirst for song, so give me more
Five passed me in silence and sadness

34. After them what years lengthen my days?
My heart cries: If you leave me you are not mine

35. Open the door and loosen the shackles from me
Ah, let me see the world, let me

36. I'm tired today of the prison that is my land!
I have no desire for any place, none!

37. Open my window across space
Open it so I can see the sky's color

38. In shadows of peace or light of serenity
My lyre will sing for my poetry and anthems

39. So let me sing amid waves of light
And let me meet above the lakes, my friends

40. Do not say: How can he complain of enduring
A poet in a land of plenty?

41. You've wronged my call, O friends
And do not know a poet's life!

42. O daughter of the "girdle", greetings
And passion, not blame or find fault

43. This war a tyrant roused to fury
He made like your valley, establishing his rule

44. You tasted estrangement, sorrow, and illness
Does it not please you to stay in Egypt?

45. Egypt was always home to those who loved her
She never broke a pact or slackened a bond

46. So remember tomorrow the noble lovers
If memories of them bring you discomfort

47. And remember some of her ancient nights
On banks that carried your worries away

48. On banks where all that is there is beautiful
Growing plants, irrigation, and towering palms

49. Dawn coming upon them, genuine
Among willows, nymphs, and palms

50. Hathor's hand is upon all that is beautiful
Spreading light on every path

51. And Osiris on the shaded banks
Pressing wine and watering the creek

52. This is Egypt, home and tribe!
Does it have a parallel in this world?

53. Wondrous am I, and wondrous my words!
How can they call me away from it tomorrow?