1. He called and his call roused the heedless,
And cried aloud, startling the tranquil with his cry.

2. A brother whose ties will not defend when they are severed,
A kinsman whose kinship avails naught when it is tested.

3. From Egypt’s folk he brought distress that vexes grievously.
Would that I knew, will his distress be ever dispelled?

4. Nay, but tears for Egypt will never assuage their anguish
If they wept for her, their weeping would last forever.

5. The tribes partitioned her, none with loving heart to shield her
And ward her – none trusty to be hoped for and relied on.

6. Egypt’s only our homeland, precious to us her land and skies.
Blest was her bliss before adversity, but blest too its advent after.

7. Some settled in her, but we wearied of their settlement;
Would that settling were without tedium of settlers!

8. Staunch was she, disdaining humiliation by an aggressor -
Would that I knew where her staunchness went, where her pride!

9. Would that I knew where her might departed and her glory,
Her repute and pre-eminence fled!

10. She was guarded by men mighty and proud;
Through the caprices of time they were her protection.

11. They who beat back from her preserved her repute
With the firm resolve that none could make recoil.

12. My countrymen, provoke her not against you,
For her wrath and her favor are not equal.

13. My countrymen, put cowardice far from you,
For it will overwhelm you along with its misfortune.