1. O House of Othman, we do not know whether to apologize
Or start blaming for our missing the feast

2. Excuses are a plague that haunts us
An embarrassment that sometimes folds and spreads

3. And the fire is rekindled as the Nile's weakness tempts it
To spare nothing, leave nothing

4. And reproach justifies the souls though
We would not reproach, were it not for sorrow and gloom

5. When we complained of our oppressor's tyranny
You called us liars and claimed it was slander

6. Today we complain of no ruler or judgment
And seek no refuge in you from what fate has brought

7. We do not charge you with fighting nature
Since neither your whites nor your browns avail

8. Nor did we ask you for money to be
Our aid, for we are not in need of the destitute's poverty

9. But we hoped for favor from you
To console us and help us endure the calamities

10. The Chinese wept on hearing our news
Yet nothing about our plight provoked you to act

11. O people, you owe us mercy
And it is time you pardoned and forgave us

12. If our past sins displeased you, we have
What deters us from sins to deter us

13. Why not remind us of a feat or noble deed
If in your minds the reminder has effect?

14. How openly we declared our love for you
Despite those who loudly proclaimed their rancid hatred

15. And warned us, so we defied them more
Until you were satisfied, and their warnings were in vain

16. Everyone related to you has disowned you
And lives in terrible fear, hiding away

17. Like frightened chicks we waded through a pitch black night
And a sea of blood, scaling citadels amid clashes

18. We boast not, nor reproach you
With deeds our hands have wrought, and take pride

19. The bow is yours and ours are the arrow and string
You are the lion, we the fang and claw

20. A feast with nothing left that Egypt's children used to enjoy
Except the sorrow they feared

21. If you dance, how strange! For they danced
In agony and intoxicated themselves with cups of grief

22. And if you light your festive candles
Raging fires burn in their hearts

23. If you stay up gazing in most splendid places
They stay up in fear

24. And if flutes play your festive tunes
Wailing women are the people's singers and night music

25. O House of Othman, as the world turns away
From us and you, lessons go unheeded

26. And if estrangement remains your way
We and you will be scattered parts amid enemies

27. Return to a land whose resolve is weakened
Whose wealth and children are expiring

28. The Nile poets have not held their season's feast
Nor have titles and full moons stirred them

29. I used to compose congratulatory poems but now
Tears rain from my eyes

30. I used to shout joyfully when I strolled through the garden
Inventing, greeting it with a smile

31. But now the garden of literature lies barren
So how can I sing when there's no bloom or fruit?

32. Though angry, I admit that if you aided Egypt
It would be victorious

33. And if your present changed your past
No rancor would remain in my loyal heart

34. I wasted my early days futilely, so now
My later days reproach me for you

35. But I grew up among a people enamored with you
And nurtured to obey you

36. They forgot your feast only because
Calamity then robbed them of their senses

37. How we rejoiced when you were victorious!
Yet you did not grieve when we were harmed

38. Do you reward your lovers by shunning them?
Fine gratitude! But wretched is their reward

39. They desire nothing but your wish
While you desire only what they refuse and reject

40. O Lord, You are ours, so have mercy on hearts
Nearly shattered from intense pain

41. And pity breasts that constriction nearly stifles
As if their breath were flaming sparks

42. And lift Your punishment from us; we are mortals
Who after being misled now obey Your command

43. And accept our repentance, for we await only
Your pardon, kindness, approval, and contentment