1. A day that stirred the depths of sorrow,
And unleashed memories from days of yore,

2. For one who passed away, never to return,
Unlike others lauded for oblivion.

3. The one who revived their dying coals
When indifference had cooled their fires,

4. Say what you will in praise of him and his courageous,
Noble friends: Saad, Adli, Tharwat and their like

5. Peers and chieftains walked ahead of their folk,
Each met his destined end in Egypt, their memory

6. Enshrined forever in people’s minds,
Except the one who made no fortune for himself,

7. From power gained or high office held before.
Though fortune smiled on Rushdi all his days,

8. And wealth was his, if he wanted to build.
He ended a hostage to a wretched cell, his sons

9. Suffering war and deprivation. Such is the fate
Of integrity: not all men share the selfsame fate.

10. Will his people forget Rushdi’s grace under duress?
The strength he showed in his faith? How he charged ahead,

11. Offering his soul so they’d be saved from disgrace and defeat?
His only passion was his country. He did not waver,

12. No matter the torment or suffering for its sake.
Were it not for the enemies of his race,

13. His heart would never have burned with hate.
And though often wronged, he returned harm with pardon,

14. Forgiving the sins of those who attacked him.
If one like him held power, he would wield it prudently

15. With wisdom, valor and discernment.

16. He would rule with justice and sincerity,
Pure in heart and word.

17. Why enumerate his many sweet traits?
Virtues beyond recounting,

18. The beauty of a free soul whom none could fault
Except to spurn guile itself?

19. His honesty brought their villainy to light
For it is the wont of villains to attack the noble.

20. This is the way from early days gone by
That set free against slave morality.

21. Believe him: do not disguise from him anything
When something weighs upon you.

22. Raillery rejected his truth, upon which one cannot impose raillery.
O you whose stature reached highest heavens

23. And whose morals made you sublime!
Return forever to your Lord’s reward in bliss,

24. Exulting in grace and favour.