1. مد سلطانه فعز عليهم

    أن يروه منازعاً جبارا

    He extended his dominion, and they could not bear

    to see him as a formidable rival.

  2. وأبى أن يزحزحوه عن المل

    ك فقالوا على الحكومة ثارا

    He refused to let them dislodge him from the king—

    so they said: “He has rebelled against the government.”

  3. فزعت منه دولةٌ تملأ الدن

    يا جنوداً وتملك الأقطارا

    A state that fills the world

    with troops and rules whole lands took fright at him.

  4. وهو من قومه وأعدائه مت

    تهم الجاه أين سار ودارا

    Among his own people and his enemies, his standing was held

    suspect wherever he went or sojourned.

  5. كيف يقوى الشهيد من بعد ما كا

    بد من كل جانب تيارا

    How could the persecuted man hold firm after he had struggled

    against currents assailing him from every side?

  6. واشتفى في أخ تعثَّر في اللي

    لِ رجال لا يأمنون النهارا

    Men who fear the daylight took their revenge upon a brother

    who stumbled in the night.

  7. ما جنى غير أنه كاد للبا

    غي عليهم وأدرك الأسرارا

    His only offense was that he plotted against the oppressor

    who tyrannized over them, and uncovered the secrets.

  8. وتحدى الغريم فيما نواه

    فتقاضى الغريم منه الثارا

    He challenged his adversary in what the latter intended,

    so the adversary exacted vengeance from him.

  9. كلما هدَّ من بنى مصر فرداً

    هدَّ مما بنته مصر جدارا

    Whenever he struck down one son of Egypt,

    he demolished a wall that Egypt had built.

  10. أيها الشامتون في فدية اليو

    م أأنتم ملكتمُ الأقدارا

    O you who gloat over today’s victim—

    do you imagine that you command the decrees of fate?

  11. لم أزل خائفاً عليكم وإن حا

    سنتموه المخادع الغدارا

    I have never ceased to fear for you, even if you seek to appease

    that treacherous deceiver.

  12. وأرى يومكم قريباً لدى من

    جعل السخط والرضا أدوارا

    I see your day drawing near in the eyes of one

    who makes wrath and favor take their turns.

  13. والذي من أذاه لاقى أخوكم

    سترون الأشدَّ منه مرارا

    Whatever harm your brother suffered at his hands,

    you will repeatedly suffer worse from him.

  14. والذي كان أمس يُخفي يديه

    بينكم جاءكم عياناً جهارا

    The one who yesterday kept his hands hidden

    among you has now confronted you plainly and openly.

  15. ما الذي يلزم المحكَّم وهو ال

    مستجاب المطاع أن يتوارى

    Why should the absolute arbiter, whose will

    is answered and obeyed, ever hide himself?

  16. هنتمُ كلكم عليه فلا غُي

    يابكم يتقي ولا الحُضَّارا

    You have all become contemptible to him; neither those ab—

    sent nor those present inspire him with fear.

  17. فإذا شاء عدكم من موالي

    ه وإن شاء عدكم أحرارا

    Whenever he wishes, he counts you among his depend—

    ents; whenever he wishes, he counts you free.

  18. خطبكم في الطريد أهون عندي

    من عذاب الجرحى وذل الأسارى

    Your plight concerning the exile matters less to me

    than the wounded men’s torment and the captives’ humiliation.

  19. أخرجوه من الديار إذا كا

    ن بها مكثُه يضر الديارا

    Drive him out of the land, if his remaining

    there brings harm upon the land.

  20. وخذوه قربانكم عند قهّا

    ركمُ إن بلغتم القهارا

    And offer him as your sacrifice before your all-powerful

    tyrant—if you can ever reach that tyrant.

  21. فعسى من ضحية اليوم أن لا

    تدعوا بعدها له أعذارا

    Perhaps today’s victim will ensure that you

    leave him no excuses thereafter.

  22. أي شيء سيرضيه عنكم

    ويقيكم حديده والنارا

    What could ever make him content with you

    and shield you from his steel and fire?

  23. لا نجاة إلا بجمعكم الشم

    لَ قوياً وبالنفوس كبارا

    There is no salvation except by gathering your scattered

    ranks into strength, and being great in spirit.