حُماةُ الوَغى أَينَ السَلامُ المُوَطَّدُ

حُماةُ الوَغى أَينَ السَلامُ المُوَطَّدُ

وَأَينَ الوَصايا وَالذِمامُ المُؤَكَّدُ

وَأَينَ الوَصايا وَالذِمامُ المُؤَكَّدُ

Guardians of battle, where is firmly established peace?

Defenders of the glory, where is steadfast peace?

And where are the injunctions and the solemnly affirmed pledges?

And where are the firm covenants and pacts?

عُهودٌ كَتَضليلِ الأَماني وَراءَها

عُهودٌ كَتَضليلِ الأَماني وَراءَها

وُعودٌ كَما طارَ الهَباءُ المُبَدَّدُ

وُعودٌ كَما طارَ الهَباءُ المُبَدَّدُ

Pacts like the delusions of hopes, and behind them

Promises, like the delusions of hopes beyond them,

Promises like scattered dust blown away.

And vows, like scattered flying dust.

أَطالَت عَناءَ السَيفِ وَالسَيفُ مُغمَدٌ

أَطالَت عَناءَ السَيفِ وَالسَيفُ مُغمَدٌ

وَطاحَت بِهِ في الرَوعِ وَهوَ مُجَرَّدُ

وَطاحَت بِهِ في الرَوعِ وَهوَ مُجَرَّدُ

They prolonged the sword's travail while it was sheathed,

The sword has long inflicted torment while still sheathed,

And brought it down amid terror when it was drawn.

And it fell upon the terrified while still stripped bare.

زَعَمتُم فَصَدَّقنا وَقُلتُم فَكَذَّبَت

زَعَمتُم فَصَدَّقنا وَقُلتُم فَكَذَّبَت

أَفاعيلُ مِنكُم بادِئاتٌ وَعُوَّدُ

أَفاعيلُ مِنكُم بادِئاتٌ وَعُوَّدُ

You claimed, and we believed; you spoke, but were belied by

You claimed and we believed, you spoke and lies denied you,

Your deeds, both initial and repeated.

Your actions initiated while we were disciplined.

كَأَنَّ الوَغى مَلهىً كَأَنَّ الرَدى هَوىً

كَأَنَّ الوَغى مَلهىً كَأَنَّ الرَدى هَوىً

كَأَنَّ الدَمَ الجاري شَرابٌ مُبَرَّدُ

كَأَنَّ الدَمَ الجاري شَرابٌ مُبَرَّدُ

As though battle were a pastime, as though death were a passion,

As if violence is a playground, as if havoc is a passion,

As though flowing blood were a chilled drink.

As if spilt blood is a refreshing drink.

كَأَنَّ أَنينَ الهالِكينَ مُرَدَّداً

كَأَنَّ أَنينَ الهالِكينَ مُرَدَّداً

أَهازيجُ في أَسماعِكُم تَتَرَدَّدُ

أَهازيجُ في أَسماعِكُم تَتَرَدَّدُ

As though the echoed groaning of the dying

As if the groans of the dying are, in your ears,

Were chants resounding in your ears.

Echoing songs that keep repeating.

كَأَنَّ بَني حَوّاءَ تُزجى جُموعُهُم

كَأَنَّ بَني حَوّاءَ تُزجى جُموعُهُم

إِلى حَومَةِ الحَربِ النعامُ المُطَرَّدُ

إِلى حَومَةِ الحَربِ النعامُ المُطَرَّدُ

As though Eve's children, their multitudes driven

As if Eve’s children are driven, multitudes of them,

Into the thick of war, were ostriches being chased.

To war’s fierce furnace, driven ostriches.

كَأَنَّ كِتابَ اللَهِ لَغوٌ كَأَنَّكُم

كَأَنَّ كِتابَ اللَهِ لَغوٌ كَأَنَّكُم

عَلى الناسِ أَربابٌ تُطاعُ وَتُعبَدُ

عَلى الناسِ أَربابٌ تُطاعُ وَتُعبَدُ

As though God's Book were idle talk, as though you

As if God’s Book is nonsense, as if you

Were lords over mankind, obeyed and worshipped.

Are lords over people, obeyed and worshipped.

مَلَأتُم فِجاجَ الأَرضِ ناراً فَلَم تَبِت

مَلَأتُم فِجاجَ الأَرضِ ناراً فَلَم تَبِت

مِنَ الخَوفِ إِلّا وَهيَ بِالناسِ مُيَّدُ

مِنَ الخَوفِ إِلّا وَهيَ بِالناسِ مُيَّدُ

You filled the earth's broad ways with fire; no night passed

You have filled the horizons of the earth with a fire, so

Without its swaying with its people in fear.

In constant fear, peopled only with the outstretched.

فَفي مِصرَ زِلزالٌ وَلِلهِندِ وَقعَةٌ

فَفي مِصرَ زِلزالٌ وَلِلهِندِ وَقعَةٌ

وَبِالصينِ إِجفالٌ وَلِلشامِ مَوعِدُ

وَبِالصينِ إِجفالٌ وَلِلشامِ مَوعِدُ

An earthquake in Egypt, a battle for India,

In Egypt, a tremor; the India, a calamity;

And panic in China, with an appointed hour for the Levant.

In China, darkness; and in Syria, an appointment.

لَئِن كانَ مَتنُ الجَوِّ بالحَتفِ موقَراً

لَئِن كانَ مَتنُ الجَوِّ بالحَتفِ موقَراً

فَإِنَّ عُبابَ البَحرِ بِالهَولِ مُزبدُ

فَإِنَّ عُبابَ البَحرِ بِالهَولِ مُزبدُ

If the expanse of the sky is laden with death,

If the atmosphere has been ennobled with the sword,

Then the swelling sea foams with terror.

Then the abyss of the ocean rages in awe.

أَبَيتُم فَما يُلفى عَلى الأَرضِ مَهبِطٌ

أَبَيتُم فَما يُلفى عَلى الأَرضِ مَهبِطٌ

لِناجٍ وَلا يُلفى إِلى النَجمِ مَصعَدُ

لِناجٍ وَلا يُلفى إِلى النَجمِ مَصعَدُ

You refused; no landing place is found on earth

You refused, so there is no refuge to be found on earth

For one escaping, nor a way of ascent to the stars.

For anyone fleeing, or a way to ascend to a star.

أَماناً حُماةَ السِلمِ لا تَمسَحوا الدُنى

أَماناً حُماةَ السِلمِ لا تَمسَحوا الدُنى

وَلا تَذبَحوا عُمرانَها وَهوَ يولَدُ

وَلا تَذبَحوا عُمرانَها وَهوَ يولَدُ

Grant safety, guardians of peace! Do not wipe out the worlds,

Guarantors of peace, do not erase the world

Nor slaughter their civilization as it is being born.

And do not slaughter its civilization as it is born!

عَبَثتُم بِآمالِ الشُعوبِ فَأَبغَضَت

عَبَثتُم بِآمالِ الشُعوبِ فَأَبغَضَت

مِنَ العَيشِ ما كانَت تُحِبُّ وَتَحمَدُ

مِنَ العَيشِ ما كانَت تُحِبُّ وَتَحمَدُ

You toyed with the peoples' hopes, until they hated

You have trifled with the hopes of nations, so they have grown

What they once loved and praised in life.

To hate the life they once loved and praised.

لَئِن ضَجَّتِ الهُلّاكُ مِن نَكَدِ الرَدى

لَئِن ضَجَّتِ الهُلّاكُ مِن نَكَدِ الرَدى

لَعيشُ الأُلى لَم يُطعَموا الهُلَكَ أَنكَدُ

لَعيشُ الأُلى لَم يُطعَموا الهُلَكَ أَنكَدُ

If the perishing cry out at death's misery,

If the wretched are noisy in their misery,

Still more miserable is the life of those not made to taste death.

The tormented people were not served death more bitter.

نَبَت بِبَنيها الأَرضُ وَاِجتاحَ أَمنُهُم

نَبَت بِبَنيها الأَرضُ وَاِجتاحَ أَمنُهُم

حَثيثُ الرَدى يُفني النُفوسَ وَيَحصُدُ

حَثيثُ الرَدى يُفني النُفوسَ وَيَحصُدُ

The earth grew inhospitable to its children, and their safety was swept away by

The earth sprouted its children, and havoc at its peak

Swift death, destroying souls and reaping them.

Consumes souls and reaps them.

وَجَفَّ مَعينُ المالِ فَالرِزقُ مُعوزٌ

وَجَفَّ مَعينُ المالِ فَالرِزقُ مُعوزٌ

وَإِن أَمعَنَ الساعي إِلى القوتِ يَجهَدُ

وَإِن أَمعَنَ الساعي إِلى القوتِ يَجهَدُ

The flowing spring of wealth dried up; sustenance is scarce,

And the spring of money is dry, so provision is scarce,

Even if the seeker of food presses on, he struggles.

And one seeking sustenance exerts himself to exhaustion.

تَزولُ تِجاراتُ البِلادِ وَتَنقَضي

تَزولُ تِجاراتُ البِلادِ وَتَنقَضي

وَتَفنى حَضاراتُ الشُعوبِ وَتَنفَدُ

وَتَفنى حَضاراتُ الشُعوبِ وَتَنفَدُ

The lands' commerce vanishes and comes to an end,

The business of countries fails and comes to an end,

And the peoples' civilizations perish and are spent.

And the civilization of nations passes away.

فَواجِعُ هالَ اليَومَ وَالأَمسَ وَقعُها

فَواجِعُ هالَ اليَومَ وَالأَمسَ وَقعُها

وَريعَ لَه مِن قَبلِ أَن يولَدَ الغَدُ

وَريعَ لَه مِن قَبلِ أَن يولَدَ الغَدُ

Calamities whose impact terrified today and yesterday,

The events of today and yesterday and their impact

And tomorrow was terrified by it before being born.

And what they foretell before tomorrow is born!

تَوَدُّ الدَراري الطالِعاتُ لَوَ اَنَّها

تَوَدُّ الدَراري الطالِعاتُ لَوَ اَنَّها

مُحَجَّبَةٌ مِمّا تُراعي وَتَشهَدُ

مُحَجَّبَةٌ مِمّا تُراعي وَتَشهَدُ

The rising radiant stars wish that they

The little girls wishing they had been

Were veiled from what they watch and witness.

Hidden from what they witness and see.

كَأَنَّ نُجومَ السَعدِ غَضبى عَلى الدُنى

كَأَنَّ نُجومَ السَعدِ غَضبى عَلى الدُنى

إِذا ضَمَّها يَومٌ مِنَ النَحسِ أُسودُ

إِذا ضَمَّها يَومٌ مِنَ النَحسِ أُسودُ

As though the stars of good fortune were angry with the worlds

As if the stars of fortune in days of ill fate

When a black day of ill fortune gathers them in.

As if the world is embers and darkness from havoc,

كَأَنَّ الدُنى حُمراً وَسوداً مِنَ الوَغى

كَأَنَّ الدُنى حُمراً وَسوداً مِنَ الوَغى

جَهَنَّمُ تُحمى لِلعُصاةِ وتوقَدُ

جَهَنَّمُ تُحمى لِلعُصاةِ وتوقَدُ

As though the worlds, red and black with battle,

Hell, heated for the disobedient and kindled.

Were Hell, heated and kindled for the disobedient.

As if the tormented were pelted with calamities

كَأَنَّ الأُلى صَبّوا عَلى أَهلِها الرَدى

كَأَنَّ الأُلى صَبّوا عَلى أَهلِها الرَدى

زَبانِيَةٌ مِنها حَديدٌ وَجَلمَدُ

زَبانِيَةٌ مِنها حَديدٌ وَجَلمَدُ

As though those who poured death upon their people

Molten iron and solid lead from it.

Were its warders: iron and solid rock.

Events that history has never witnessed before

وَقائِعُ لَم يَشهَد لَها الدَهرُ مَرَّةً

وَقائِعُ لَم يَشهَد لَها الدَهرُ مَرَّةً

شَبائِهَ تُروى أَو نَظائِرَ تُعهَدُ

شَبائِهَ تُروى أَو نَظائِرَ تُعهَدُ

Battles for which Time has never once witnessed

Are relayed, or precedents recounted.

Comparables recounted or counterparts known.

If what people saw before was jest,

لَئِن كانَ هَزلاً ما رَأى الناسُ قَبلَها

لَئِن كانَ هَزلاً ما رَأى الناسُ قَبلَها

فَتِلكَ الَّتي لا هَزلَ فيها وَلا دَدُ

فَتِلكَ الَّتي لا هَزلَ فيها وَلا دَدُ

If what people saw before them was a jest,

Then this contains no jest or spouting.

These admit no jest and no play.

The devils of war are preparing devices

أَقامَت شَياطينُ الحُروبِ مَلاوَةً

أَقامَت شَياطينُ الحُروبِ مَلاوَةً

تُعِدُّ لَها أَعدادَها ثُمَّ تَحشُدُ

تُعِدُّ لَها أَعدادَها ثُمَّ تَحشُدُ

The devils of war spent a long while

Measuring their numbers, then assembling troops.

Preparing their forces for them, then mustering them.

They have invented ingenious weapons and supplies -

أَجَدَّت فُنوناً مِن سِلاحٍ وَعُدَّةٍ

أَجَدَّت فُنوناً مِن سِلاحٍ وَعُدَّةٍ

لَدى مِثلِها تَخبو العُقولُ وَتَخمُدُ

لَدى مِثلِها تَخبو العُقولُ وَتَخمُدُ

They devised new arts of arms and equipment,

Before their like, minds are dumbfounded and extinguished.

Before whose like minds dim and go dark.

Armies are confused by their devastation

تَظَلُّ الجُيوشُ الغُلبُ مِن فَتَكاتِها

تَظَلُّ الجُيوشُ الغُلبُ مِن فَتَكاتِها

حَيارى يَهُبُّ المَوتُ فيها وَيركُدُ

حَيارى يَهُبُّ المَوتُ فيها وَيركُدُ

Mighty armies remain, before their deadly assaults,

While death there desires, lingers, and settles.

Bewildered, as death rises and lies still among them.

Havoc springs from them, so generations are not peaceful

يَثورُ الرَدى مِنها فَلا القِرنُ باسِلٌ

يَثورُ الرَدى مِنها فَلا القِرنُ باسِلٌ

إِذا جَعَلتَ آجالَهُم تَتَمَرَّدُ

إِذا جَعَلتَ آجالَهُم تَتَمَرَّدُ

Death surges from them; no adversary stands brave

If you make their lifespans rebel.

When you make their allotted lifetimes rebel.

With its decrees the prey surrenders to its judge

تدينُ الكماةُ الصيدُ طوعاً لحكمها

تدينُ الكماةُ الصيدُ طوعاً لحكمها

إذا جعلت آجالُهم تتمرَّدُ

إذا جعلت آجالُهم تتمرَّدُ

Proud, armored champions willingly submit to their rule

If you make their lifespans rebel.

When their allotted lifetimes begin to rebel.

It brings together its implements while in chaos

تُقَرِّبُ مِن أَسبابِها وَهيَ نُزَّعٌ

تُقَرِّبُ مِن أَسبابِها وَهيَ نُزَّعٌ

وَتَجمَعُ مِن أَسرابِها وَهيَ شُرَّدُ

وَتَجمَعُ مِن أَسرابِها وَهيَ شُرَّدُ

They bring some of their means near, though far-flung,

And assembles its flock while dispersed.

And gather some of their flocks, though scattered.

No soul has met its like of terror

فَما لَقِيت نَفسٌ مِنَ الهَولِ مِثلَها

فَما لَقِيت نَفسٌ مِنَ الهَولِ مِثلَها

وَلا أَبصَرَت عَينٌ وَلا صافَحَت يَدُ

وَلا أَبصَرَت عَينٌ وَلا صافَحَت يَدُ

No soul has encountered their like in terror,

Nor eye seen it nor hand clasped.

Nor eye beheld it, nor hand clasped it.

Wars whose burdens the ages stoop under

حُروبٌ يَظَلُّ الدَهرَ يَرزَحُ تَحتَها

حُروبٌ يَظَلُّ الدَهرَ يَرزَحُ تَحتَها

عَلى أَنَّهُ ضَخمُ المَناكِبِ أَيِّدُ

عَلى أَنَّهُ ضَخمُ المَناكِبِ أَيِّدُ

Wars beneath which Time keeps staggering,

Though it is massive-shouldered and powerful.

Though broad of shoulder and mighty.

To it are driven those who have children, and for them

يُساقُ إِلَيها ذو البَنينِ فَما لَهُم

يُساقُ إِلَيها ذو البَنينِ فَما لَهُم

سِوى اليُتمِ والٍ بَعدَهُ يَتَفَقَّدُ

سِوى اليُتمِ والٍ بَعدَهُ يَتَفَقَّدُ

The father of sons is driven to them; they have

Is nought but orphanhood, then a needy successor.

No guardian after him but orphanhood to look after them.

They take refuge from the horror of separation with eyes

يَلوذونَ مِن هَولِ الفِراقِ بِأَعيُنٍ

يَلوذونَ مِن هَولِ الفِراقِ بِأَعيُنٍ

تَمُجُّ الأَسى مِنهُ تُؤامٌ وَمُفرَدُ

تَمُجُّ الأَسى مِنهُ تُؤامٌ وَمُفرَدُ

They seek refuge from separation's terror in eyes

Flooded with sorrow - lonely and unaccompanied.

That spew its sorrow, paired and single.

With pent-up torment a horrified lament bursts forth

وَضَجَّت بِمَكتومِ الغَليلِ مَروعَةٌ

وَضَجَّت بِمَكتومِ الغَليلِ مَروعَةٌ

أَهابَ بِها الداعي فَطاحَ التَجَلُّدُ

أَهابَ بِها الداعي فَطاحَ التَجَلُّدُ

And a terrified woman cried out her hidden anguish;

Frightening the supplicant and arresting endurance.

The summoner called to her, and her fortitude collapsed.

If an eye thirsts for sleep, anguished grief keeps it awake

إِذا ظَمِئَت عَينٌ إِلى الغَمضِ ذادَها

إِذا ظَمِئَت عَينٌ إِلى الغَمضِ ذادَها

مِنَ الهَمِّ مُهتاجٌ يَقومُ وَيَقعُدُ

مِنَ الهَمِّ مُهتاجٌ يَقومُ وَيَقعُدُ

When an eye thirsted for sleep, it was driven off by

Rising and sitting back down.

A restless surge of grief that rose and sat down.

And if tenderaffection begins to smolder in it,

وَإِن هَوَّدَت في الوَجدِ مِنها حُشاشَةٌ

وَإِن هَوَّدَت في الوَجدِ مِنها حُشاشَةٌ

أَلَحَّت عَلَيها لَوعَةٌ ما تُهَوِّدُ

أَلَحَّت عَلَيها لَوعَةٌ ما تُهَوِّدُ

And if a remnant of her life grew still amid grief,

Then blazing agony persists unabated.

A pang that never rests pressed hard upon her.

Their tears from the torment of separation converge

جَرى دَمعُها مِن رَوعَةِ البَينِ فَالتَقى

جَرى دَمعُها مِن رَوعَةِ البَينِ فَالتَقى

ذَليقانِ مَسلولٌ وَآخَرُ مُغمَدُ

ذَليقانِ مَسلولٌ وَآخَرُ مُغمَدُ

Her tears ran from the terror of parting, and there met

Two naked blades, and a third still sheathed.

Two keen blades: one unsheathed, the other sheathed.

And havoc of sword and war is not heeded

وَما راعَ وَقعُ السَيفِ وَالحَربُ تَلتَظي

وَما راعَ وَقعُ السَيفِ وَالحَربُ تَلتَظي

كَما راعَ وَقعُ الدَمعِ وَالبَينُ يَأفَدُ

كَما راعَ وَقعُ الدَمعِ وَالبَينُ يَأفَدُ

The sword's fall, while war blazed, did not terrify

As is havoc of tears and separation gather.

As the tears' fall did, while parting hastened on.

It went to havoc while the soul was distraught with sorrow

مَضى لِلوَغى وَالنَفسُ مِن لَوعَةِ النَوى

مَضى لِلوَغى وَالنَفسُ مِن لَوعَةِ النَوى

مُوَلَّهَةٌ وَالقَلبُ حَرّانُ مُكمَدُ

مُوَلَّهَةٌ وَالقَلبُ حَرّانُ مُكمَدُ

He went to battle, his soul from the burning grief of separation

Infatuated but the heart scorching and extinguished.

Distraught, his heart burning and sorrow-darkened.

When the walls and banners of the army came into view

فَلَمّا بَدَت شُمُّ الحُصونِ وَأَشرَقَت

فَلَمّا بَدَت شُمُّ الحُصونِ وَأَشرَقَت

لَياجُ وَماجَ الجَيشُ يَدنو وَيَبعُدُ

لَياجُ وَماجَ الجَيشُ يَدنو وَيَبعُدُ

And when the lofty fortresses appeared, and

The troops approached and moved away.

Liège shone, and the army surged, advancing and retreating,

It remembered in Berlin a home and sanctuary

تَذَكَّرَ في بَرلينَ أَهلاً وَمَعهَداً

تَذَكَّرَ في بَرلينَ أَهلاً وَمَعهَداً

وَقَد شَطَّ مِن بَرلينَ أَهلٌ وَمَعهَدُ

وَقَد شَطَّ مِن بَرلينَ أَهلٌ وَمَعهَدُ

He recalled family and a familiar home in Berlin,

While from Berlin home and sanctuary have departed.

Yet far away lay Berlin's family and familiar home.

And there remains only war, its projectiles

وَلَم يَبقَ إِلّا الحَرب تَهوي رُجومُها

وَلَم يَبقَ إِلّا الحَرب تَهوي رُجومُها

هُوِيّاً تُهالُ الأَرضُ مِنهُ وَترعدُ

هُوِيّاً تُهالُ الأَرضُ مِنهُ وَترعدُ

Nothing remained but war, its missiles plunging

Raining down, the earth quaking because of them.

With a fall that terrified the earth and made it tremble.

Fires erupted on all sides from every launcher

تَفَجَّرَتِ النيرانُ مِن كُلِّ قاذِفٍ

تَفَجَّرَتِ النيرانُ مِن كُلِّ قاذِفٍ

بِأَرجائِها وَاِستَجمَعَ الدَمُ يَجمُدُ

بِأَرجائِها وَاِستَجمَعَ الدَمُ يَجمُدُ

Fires burst from every launcher

As blood congealed between their confines.

Across its reaches, and blood gathered, congealing.

The spirits there took flight, a chaos

وَطارَت بِها الأَرواحُ فَوضى يَضُمُّها

وَطارَت بِها الأَرواحُ فَوضى يَضُمُّها

إِلى اللَهِ عَزرائيلُ وَاللَهُ يَرصُدُ

إِلى اللَهِ عَزرائيلُ وَاللَهُ يَرصُدُ

Souls flew there in disorder; gathering them

That God’s Azrael collects as God observes.

To God was Azrael, while God kept watch.

Projectiles fill the sky, pouring destruction,

قَذائِفُ مِلءَ الجَوِّ يَرمي حِثاثَها

قَذائِفُ مِلءَ الجَوِّ يَرمي حِثاثَها

مِنَ الحَتفِ ذي الأَهوالِ رامٍ مُسَدَّدُ

مِنَ الحَتفِ ذي الأَهوالِ رامٍ مُسَدَّدُ

Missiles fill the sky; their swift ones are hurled

From a terrifying fate, a skilled sharpshooter.

By a sure-aiming marksman from terror-filled death.

When it afflicts fortresses, their heights crumble

إِذا ما أَلَمَّت بِالحُصونِ تَطايَرَت

إِذا ما أَلَمَّت بِالحُصونِ تَطايَرَت

ذُراها العُلى وَاِندَكَّ مِنها المُوَطَّدُ

ذُراها العُلى وَاِندَكَّ مِنها المُوَطَّدُ

Whenever they strike the fortresses, scattered are

And the solid is shaken at its foundations.

Their lofty summits, and what stands firm within them is crushed.

If another denies its destruction, then from destruction

إِذا جَحَدَت تَدميرَ أُخرى تَهابُها

إِذا جَحَدَت تَدميرَ أُخرى تَهابُها

أَتاها مِنَ التَدميرِ ما لَيسَ يُجحَدُ

أَتاها مِنَ التَدميرِ ما لَيسَ يُجحَدُ

If it denies the destruction of another that it fears,

Comes to it what cannot be denied.

Destruction comes upon it that cannot be denied.

If it storms them, entreaty does not benefit them

إِذا داهَمَتها لَم تُفِدها ضَراعَةٌ

إِذا داهَمَتها لَم تُفِدها ضَراعَةٌ

وَلَو خَرَّ عاتيها عَلى الأَرضِ يَسجُدُ

وَلَو خَرَّ عاتيها عَلى الأَرضِ يَسجُدُ

When they overwhelm it, supplication does it no good,

Even if its victim bows to the ground in prostration.

Even if its mighty one falls to the earth in prostration.

It tries means of escape - perhaps it

تُحاوِلُ أَسبابَ الفِرارِ لَعَلَّها

تُحاوِلُ أَسبابَ الفِرارِ لَعَلَّها

تُغاثُ إِذا طارَت سِراعاً وَتُنجَدُ

تُغاثُ إِذا طارَت سِراعاً وَتُنجَدُ

It seeks means of escape, hoping perhaps

Will be saved if it quickly takes flight.

To be rescued and aided if it flies swiftly away.

It wishes it could nestle into a dove

تَوَدُّ اِرتِياعاً لَو حَوَتها حَمامَةٌ

تَوَدُّ اِرتِياعاً لَو حَوَتها حَمامَةٌ

وَغَيَّبها تَحتَ الجَناحَينِ هُدهُدُ

وَغَيَّبها تَحتَ الجَناحَينِ هُدهُدُ

In terror it wishes a dove might shelter it,

And hide beneath its wings a singing nightingale.

And a hoopoe conceal it beneath its two wings.

But the horizons are ruled by a soaring eagle

وَقَد مَلَكَ الآفاقَ نَسرٌ مُحَلِّقٌ

وَقَد مَلَكَ الآفاقَ نَسرٌ مُحَلِّقٌ

يَطوفُ بِأَكنافِ السُهى يَتَصَيَّدُ

يَطوفُ بِأَكنافِ السُهى يَتَصَيَّدُ

Yet a soaring eagle has already seized the horizons,

Circling the lairs of prey, on the hunt.

Circling the reaches of Suha, hunting prey.

It swoops down on it with misfortunes even if

يَشُدُّ عَلَيها بِالحُتوفِ وَلَو غَدَت

يَشُدُّ عَلَيها بِالحُتوفِ وَلَو غَدَت

تُشَدُّ بِأَسبابِ السَماءِ وَتُعقَدُ

تُشَدُّ بِأَسبابِ السَماءِ وَتُعقَدُ

It swoops upon it with deaths, even were it

It could ascend by means of the heavens and knot them.

Bound and fastened to the cords of heaven.

While another, when havoc loses its way

وَأُخرى إِذا زاغَ الرَدى عَن سَبيلِهِ

وَأُخرى إِذا زاغَ الرَدى عَن سَبيلِهِ

وَطاحَ بِهِ لَيلٌ مِن الشَكِّ أَربَدُ

وَطاحَ بِهِ لَيلٌ مِن الشَكِّ أَربَدُ

And another, when death strays from its path

And dark night befalls it, confused and cold

And a murky night of doubt sweeps it away,

Lights up for it the darkness of the unknown

أَضاءَت لَهُ سودَ الغَياهِبِ وَاِنبَرَت

أَضاءَت لَهُ سودَ الغَياهِبِ وَاِنبَرَت

عَلى البُعدِ تَهديهِ السَبيلَ وَتُرشِدُ

عَلى البُعدِ تَهديهِ السَبيلَ وَتُرشِدُ

Lights the black depths of darkness for it and rises up,

Exposing from afar, guiding its path, leading the way.

Guiding it along the way from afar.

When regiments weaponless are exposed

إِذا ما تَرَدَّت بِالسِلاحِ كَتيبَةٌ

إِذا ما تَرَدَّت بِالسِلاحِ كَتيبَةٌ

تَكَشَّفَ مِن سَوآتِها المُتَغَمِّدُ

تَكَشَّفَ مِن سَوآتِها المُتَغَمِّدُ

Whenever a battalion cloaks itself in arms,

What they concealed armored is uncovered.

Its concealed nakedness is laid bare.

And if another resists the chaos in assembly

وَإِن أَجمَعَت أُخرى صُدوداً عَنِ الوَغى

وَإِن أَجمَعَت أُخرى صُدوداً عَنِ الوَغى

أَتَتها خَيالاتُ الوَغى تَتَوَدَّدُ

أَتَتها خَيالاتُ الوَغى تَتَوَدَّدُ

And if another resolves to turn away from battle,

Phantoms of chaos approach, threatening harm.

Battle's phantoms come to it, courting it.

It warns in its burning agony while thrown into confusion

تُنَبِّهُ مِن لَوعَاتِها وَهيَ هُجَّدٌ

تُنَبِّهُ مِن لَوعَاتِها وَهيَ هُجَّدٌ

وَتَبعَثُ مِن رَوعَاتِها وَهيَ هُمَّدُ

وَتَبعَثُ مِن رَوعَاتِها وَهيَ هُمَّدُ

Rousing some of its pangs while they lie asleep,

And is roused in its distress while disconcerted.

And stirring some of its terrors while they lie still.

From safe comfortable sleep it longs to have nested

تَوَدُّ مِنَ السُهدِ المُبَرِّحِ أَنَّها

تَوَدُّ مِنَ السُهدِ المُبَرِّحِ أَنَّها

حَواها مِنَ المَأثورَةِ البيضِ مَرقَدُ

حَواها مِنَ المَأثورَةِ البيضِ مَرقَدُ

From tormenting sleeplessness it wishes that

In a guarded precious egg, a place to rest its head.

A bed of bright, patterned swords might enfold it.

And its victim yearns for a sip of security

وَيَشتاقُ عانيها مِنَ الأَمنِ نَهلَةً

وَيَشتاقُ عانيها مِنَ الأَمنِ نَهلَةً

وَلَو أَنَّ أَطرافَ الأَسِنَّةِ مَورِدُ

وَلَو أَنَّ أَطرافَ الأَسِنَّةِ مَورِدُ

And its captive longs for a draught of safety,

Even if the tips of its ribs are the watering hole.

Even if the spearheads' tips were the watering place.

Brussels, guardian of Namur, stand firm

بُروكسلُ حامي عَن ذِمارِكِ وَاِثبُتي

بُروكسلُ حامي عَن ذِمارِكِ وَاِثبُتي

فَإِن لَم يَكُن نَصرٌ فَمَجدٌ وَسُؤدُدُ

فَإِن لَم يَكُن نَصرٌ فَمَجدٌ وَسُؤدُدُ

Brussels, defend your honor and stand firm;

For even if no ally, glory and tribute belong to the steadfast!

For if there is no victory, there are glory and eminence.

Withstand, like the titans do in war, and be patient

قِفي وَقفَةَ الجَبّارِ في الحَربِ وَاِصبِري

قِفي وَقفَةَ الجَبّارِ في الحَربِ وَاِصبِري

وَإِن عَضَّ جَنبَيكِ الحِصارُ المُشَدَّدُ

وَإِن عَضَّ جَنبَيكِ الحِصارُ المُشَدَّدُ

Stand like a giant in battle, and endure,

Even if siege tightens your sides, severe and complex.

Even if the tightened siege bites both your flanks.

Do not deny, when iron hunger assails

وَلا تُنكري صَوبَ الحَديدِ إِذا اِنهَمى

وَلا تُنكري صَوبَ الحَديدِ إِذا اِنهَمى

دِراكاً كَصَوبِ المُزنِ أَو هُوَ أَجوَدُ

دِراكاً كَصَوبِ المُزنِ أَو هُوَ أَجوَدُ

Do not find strange the shower of iron as it pours

A provision like gifts or even better quality.

In succession, like rain from clouds, or more lavishly still.

For that is the bride-price of conquest, and valour's courtship

فَذَلِكَ مَهرُ الفَتحِ وَالبَأسُ خاطِبٌ

فَذَلِكَ مَهرُ الفَتحِ وَالبَأسُ خاطِبٌ

وَتِلكَ حُلاهُ وَالفَخارُ المُقَلَّدُ

وَتِلكَ حُلاهُ وَالفَخارُ المُقَلَّدُ

That is conquest's dowry, and valor is the suitor,

And that is its jewellery, pure metal conferred.

And those its ornaments, and the pride worn as a necklace.

The lionized cities have never boasted a trinket,

وَما اِعتَزَّ هَيّابُ البِلادِ بِحِليَةٍ

وَما اِعتَزَّ هَيّابُ البِلادِ بِحِليَةٍ

وَلَو أَنَّ سَمطَيها جُمانٌ وَعَسجَدُ

وَلَو أَنَّ سَمطَيها جُمانٌ وَعَسجَدُ

No coward among the lands gained honor through an ornament,

Even if its necklaces are pearls and topaz.

Even if its two strands were pearls and gold.

None who was honorable has seen what you have achieved

فَمِثلُ الَّذي أَبلَيتِ لَم يَروِ مُبرِقٌ

فَمِثلُ الَّذي أَبلَيتِ لَم يَروِ مُبرِقٌ

وَمِثل الَّذي أَبلَيتِ لَم يَروِ مُبرِدُ

وَمِثل الَّذي أَبلَيتِ لَم يَروِ مُبرِدُ

No telegrapher has recounted exploits like yours,

And none who was righteous has seen your equal.

Nor has any courier recounted exploits like yours.

All the people of the world pass as does

يَزولُ بَنو الدُنيا جَميعاً وتنقضي

يَزولُ بَنو الدُنيا جَميعاً وتنقضي

أباطيلها والذكر باقٍ مخلَّدُ

أباطيلها والذكر باقٍ مخلَّدُ

All the world's children pass away, and vanish

Its vanities; only the reputable survive immortalized.

Its vanities; remembrance remains, immortal.

Take history’s scrolls white and inscribe upon them

خذي صحفَ التاريخِ بَيضاءَ وَاِكتُبي

خذي صحفَ التاريخِ بَيضاءَ وَاِكتُبي

مِنَ الفَخرِ ما أُملي عَلَيكِ وَأُنشِدُ

مِنَ الفَخرِ ما أُملي عَلَيكِ وَأُنشِدُ

Take history's white pages, and write

From glory what I recite and dictate to you!

Of glory what I dictate to you and recite.

You have exemplified for Namur steadfast preservation

سَنَنتِ لِنامورَ الحِفاظَ كَأَنَّما

سَنَنتِ لِنامورَ الحِفاظَ كَأَنَّما

تَبيتُ لَهُ الأَقدارُ حيرى تَبَلَّدُ

تَبيتُ لَهُ الأَقدارُ حيرى تَبَلَّدُ

You set Namur an example of steadfast defense, as though

As if destiny keeps vigil plotting its intricate schemes.

The fates spent the night before it, bewildered and stupefied.

Greetings to Namur while frustrated victory

سَلامٌ عَلى نامورَ وَالنَصرُ مُحنَقٌ

سَلامٌ عَلى نامورَ وَالنَصرُ مُحنَقٌ

يَكيدُ لَها وَالجَيشُ غَضبانُ يَحقِدُ

يَكيدُ لَها وَالجَيشُ غَضبانُ يَحقِدُ

Peace upon Namur, while victory is enraged,

Plots against it and the enraged army nurses resentment.

Plotting against her, and the army is angry and resentful.

It called but was ignored, then it shouted but she turned away,

دَعاها فَلَم تَحفِل فَنادى فَأَعرَضَت

دَعاها فَلَم تَحفِل فَنادى فَأَعرَضَت

فَغيظَ فَلَجَّت فَاِنبَرى يَتَهَدَّدُ

فَغيظَ فَلَجَّت فَاِنبَرى يَتَهَدَّدُ

It called to her; she paid no heed; it cried out, and she turned away.

So it became enraged and began to threaten forcefully.

It was angered; she persisted; it set about threatening.

She was not alarmed by what it intended and sought

فَما فَزِعَت مِمّا يُريدُ وَيَبتَغي

فَما فَزِعَت مِمّا يُريدُ وَيَبتَغي

وَلا جَزَعَت مِمّا تُلَقّى وَتوعَدُ

وَلا جَزَعَت مِمّا تُلَقّى وَتوعَدُ

She was not frightened by what it wanted and sought,

Nor afraid of what confronted her and promised her.

Nor dismayed by what she faced and was threatened with.

It bombarded her while destiny’s arrows take frightened flight

رَماها فَطارَت مُهجَةُ الدَهرِ خيفَةً

رَماها فَطارَت مُهجَةُ الدَهرِ خيفَةً

وَقَرَّت فَما تَهفو وَلا تَتَمَيَّدُ

وَقَرَّت فَما تَهفو وَلا تَتَمَيَّدُ

It struck her, and Time's heart flew away in fear,

But she settles unafraid and does not waver.

Yet she stood firm, neither wavering nor swaying.