1. You were a formidable power in Egypt
But the passing nights opposed you

2. And began to strip that power from your hands
For passing nights do not care

3. A power that did not appear on land but
Raised the defeated and equipped the unarmed

4. If you water pens with it a little
It surpasses the edge of swords in brightness

5. So before persistence it is biting salt
And before acceptance, it is sweeter than fresh water

6. And on the day of peace it is a swarm of working bees
And on the day of war it is a swarm of hornets

7. Its Lord created it to formulate opinion
From all towns and accumulate wealth

8. The Red Sea was awed by its threat
When it blazed and the new crescent arrived

9. If you compare Harut's sorcery to it
It is more lasting in men’s minds

10. It was suddenly incapacitated and vanished as though
Yesterday it was not firmly rooted in the mountains

11. How did death betray you, O Ali
And the hands of evanescence reached out to you

12. Where is what they mention of your caution
Shrewdness, ability and cunning?

13. You built our glory but left an emptiness
Which will remain vacant until your Lord wills

14. To whom do you leave journalism among us
And who will write the article?

15. Who would shake souls like you did in the East
South, West and North?

16. O friend of my youth and keeper of my covenant
In the course of those fleeting years

17. Did you violate the old covenant or else
Why did you bid me farewell by departing?

18. You hurried away from the abode of evil
I wonder when I will hurry away

19. So after losing you, my life
Is like a stranger’s visit without kinfolk

20. God, our Lord spoke the truth, everything
Perishes except His glorious face