يقولون عن مصر بلاد عجائب

يقولون عن مصر بلاد عجائب

نعم ظهرت في أرض مصر العجائب

نعم ظهرت في أرض مصر العجائب

They say of Egypt: a land of wonders.

They say of Egypt: a land of wonders.

Indeed—wonders have appeared in Egypt’s land.

Yes, wonders have appeared in the land of Egypt.

تقدّم فيها القائلون لشبهة

تقدّم فيها القائلون لشبهة

ونيلت بسجن الأبرياء المناصب

ونيلت بسجن الأبرياء المناصب

There, those who voiced mere suspicion rose in rank,

Those who speak on grounds of suspicion have risen there;

And high offices were won by imprisoning the innocent.

And posts have been won by imprisoning the innocent.

وأخر فيها كل أهل لرفعة

وأخر فيها كل أهل لرفعة

وقدم فهمي وحده والأقارب

وقدم فهمي وحده والأقارب

There, everyone worthy of advancement was held back,

And everyone worthy of advancement was held back there,

While Fahmi alone—and his relatives—were promoted.

And Fahmi alone—and the relatives—were promoted.

فيالورد هذا الحكم والله مطلق

فيالورد هذا الحكم والله مطلق

ومن مطلق الأحكام تأتي المصائب

ومن مطلق الأحكام تأتي المصائب

So, O Lord, this rule is, by God, absolute;

So, O Lord, this rule, by God, is absolute;

And from unfettered rule come calamities.

And from absolute rule come calamities.

ولم يبق إلا أنت فينا وقيصر

ولم يبق إلا أنت فينا وقيصر

وقيصر مغلوب وإن قيل غالب

وقيصر مغلوب وإن قيل غالب

None remain among us but you and Caesar,

And none remain among us but you and Caesar;

And Caesar is vanquished, though called victorious.

And Caesar is defeated, even if he is called victorious.