1. This sun has announced the dawn
After the signs have given good tidings

2. So every living being has received its light
With hymns of praise and sanctification

3. It is the first creation, it does not linger
Its beauty is witnessed only by the vigilant

4. Have you seen the dawn uncover
The garment of night from the bedsides

5. So the veil of gloom fell and hid
What pearls it contained scattered about

6. It gave life to the universe when it appeared
Reviving every compliant soul

7. Wherever it has shone expectantly
The soil has revealed peerless vegetation

8. And its glance has shone on the flowers
Fresh, sweet fruit and fine fragrance

9. And the tall palm trees, green wreaths
Garden beds of coral around the streams

10. A maiden of the Nile valley appeared at dawn
Hiding her beauty in the ink

11. With frowning eyebrows, bright eyes
Glancing with a flowing, coy gaze

12. The smooth slope of her breasts rises
Her skin gleams with silk

13. Her color openly betrays descent
From wine, having its effect in hearts

14. Modesty has muted her voice, so love
The life in that shyness of feelings

15. The early farmer went to pasture his field
And the farmer set out at first light

16. They receive from the hand of morning
Gifts of their peaceful, honest night

17. The traveler left home singing his song
With slow, limping steps on his journey

18. If worries drew near he dismissed them
With the laughter of plants or birdsong

19. And if he complained of his love the wetnurse
Of the field restored his fervor with murmuring

20. The solemn obelisks encountered her
Showing in arrogance what they hide inside

21. She fooled them for being ancient
With intelligence and pride calls vanity

22. So with all her might she towered over them
And extended the shade of her monument

23. Others in the mountains, if blown up by conceit
Their awe was reduced by a pit nearby

24. How many heads have fallen below her
Clearing rubble in a miserable abode

25. The royal hawk puffed up with self-importance
And saw in the water other than dignified

26. And light walked in its crevices, invading
What remnants remained of gloomy ruins

27. And shades of passed gods conversed
Those who were and perished, buried in graves

28. And the faces of gods and holy men met
Climbing ascents and climbing sweet smoke

29. All that history has faded for an instant
With its memories from beginnings of time

30. Dawn uncovered black braids
Dyed by the flood, Bint Thabeer’s daughters

31. In them white features appeared
Wherever traces of light were tossed

32. The haze cleared from darkened ivory
Polished by translucent chisels

33. The pleasure of existence came to console them
And fortify the like in palaces

34. Every towering mansion fell short before it
Whatever glory is known in palaces

35. Its ancient pride did not last long but for
The final miracle of time

36. Have you seen the reservoir overflowing with the Nile
Flooding to the submerged side

37. And reaching the two heights, right and left
Bending the sea bursting like rapids

38. From it each spring pours a stream
Like the pure, stirring, mingled wine

39. Its water surges arousing a spray
Of scattered pearls, some split, some whole

40. And above its curve is the bow of a cloud
Boasting with every radiant color

41. O clouds casting its abundance
In carnelian rubble from hellfire

42. How excellent are the tears from your eyes smiling
Laughing among frowning rocks

43. And strange is the roar of your torrents but
Much glory has a murmuring paean

44. That is the glory of the great Nile, so unleash
A thousand sounds and sing with fervor

45. All these signs are the inspiration
For the composer or the lyricist

46. All these signs are taken from them
Marvels of imagery and depiction

47. All these signs together produce
The melody of sadness or song of bliss

48. Miracles at every moment you see
Wondrous in variation and change

49. That which you see in the morning
As a sprout like polished emerald

50. You will see forms on it
Like a pearl in an oyster

51. And in the evening a ruby appears
Announcing its emergence

52. You will find each time you return to it
A wonder among its visible novelties

53. He who created beauty in passing things
And gave insignificance a great due

54. The gifted artisan takes from it
The wondrous, refined, unique

55. For it is art in perception and selection
And innovation in the image of the Able