1. Why do I see sleeves unrolling,
While the meadow awakens not, nor exhales fragrance?

2. Birds frolic not in their vast kingdom,
Nor burst into joyous song.

3. The Nile’s waters dance not
To turn the mill, nor flow through the valley.

4. The sun rises not radiant
To dispel the heart’s gloom and depart.

5. The moon shows not on its face
Any smile of good fortune to gladden.

6. The stars bloom not in their horizons,
As though swimming in deepest gloom.

7. Came there no news to her
That Egypt is free, exulting in joy?

8. I know not if days of truth have dawned
Or if jesting continues still.

9. Is this a pause for seriousness we pass,
Or a stage where jesters still play?

10. I glimpse a ray of hope for our independence,
Then doubt descends and I despair.

11. Darkness blankets its traces,
I deny what I just glimpsed.

12. Minds are confused by their intentions,
Be they hints or outright declarations.

13. One says “Do not rush,
For yesterday you stayed put.”

14. Another says “Take a bold step forward,
For beyond it lies your goal and desire.”

15. And another says “He went too far
In his words. This is your independence, rejoice!”

16. If you ask reason, it says “Be steadfast
And strengthen your covenant, so you may profit.”

17. “Establish a house for your representatives,
Make room for opinion and argument within it.”

18. “Let the nation remember its pact
Never to see its glory wounded.”

19. “And elect the elite of its sons,
Among them the sincere and reformer.”

20. “And let the rulers fear God
Lest they silence voices or act tyrannically.”

21. Or if you ask the heart, it says “Beware
And be patient with your enemies, so you may succeed.”

22. “I see a bondage, so do not surrender
Your hands, for shackles do not bend.”

23. “If they prepare it from silk for you,
It remains soft, but thereby I am slain.”

24. “Restrain yourselves, for patience has an end,
We must not drink forever from our well.”

25. “Restrain yourselves, wealth is coveted,
We only grant what we grant to Egypt.”

26. “Restrain yourselves, others decide our affairs,
And that suits not the free.”

27. Some people suspected others wrongly,
Yesterday eve and again this morn.

28. Our enemies seized the dispute
That chanced among us.

29. The best opinion is you unite,
For your consensus is strongest.

30. He who seeks to split you
Butts his head against a boulder.

31. I fear if you multiply among you
Leaders of opinion, you will be disgraced.

32. So pursue what youexcelled at through them,
For success lies only in fewness.