صَدَقَproved true النَّعِيُّthe death announcement وَرَدَّدَand echoed الهَرَمَانِthe two pyramids
صَدَقَ النَّعِيُّ وَرَدَّدَ الهَرَمَانِ
اللهُGod أَكْبرُis greatest كُلُّevery حَيٍّliving being فَانِis mortal
اللهُ أَكْبرُ كُلُّ حَيٍّ فَانِ
The death announcement proved true, and the two pyramids echoed:
The prophet spoke truly, and the echoes reverberated,
God is greatest; every living being must perish.
God is Most Great, every living being shall perish,
مَاhowever يَعْظِمِgrows great الإِنْسَانُthe human being لاnot تَعْصِمْهُprotects him مِنْfrom
مَا يَعْظِمِ الإِنْسَانُ لا تَعْصِمْهُ مِنْ
هَذَاthis المَصِيرِfate عَظَائِمُgreat achievements الإِنْسَانِof humanity
هَذَا المَصِيرِ عَظَائِمُ الإِنْسَانِ
However great a human grows, he is not protected from
What man holds great cannot protect him from,
this fate by humanity's great achievements.
This fate, the grandeur of man,
أَمُشَيِّدَO builder of الدُّسْتُورِthe constitution حَسْبُenough for المَجْدِglory مَاwhat
أَمُشَيِّدَ الدُّسْتُورِ حَسْبُ المَجْدِ مَا
أَدْرَكْتَyou attained مِنْof جَاهٍprestige وَرِفْعَةٍand elevation شَانِof standing
أَدْرَكْتَ مِنْ جَاهٍ وَرِفْعَةٍ شَانِ
O builder of the constitution, enough for glory is what
O drafter of the constitution, you have attained glory sufficient,
you attained in prestige and exalted standing.
Of prestige and high station,
وَلأَنْتَand indeed you أَبْقَىmost enduring مَنْthose whom أَلَمَّvisited بِهِhim الرَّدَىdeath
وَلأَنْتَ أَبْقَى مَنْ أَلَمَّ بِهِ الرَّدَى
إِنْif صَحَّit is true أَنَّthat الذِّكْرَremembrance عُمْرٌa life ثَانِsecond
إِنْ صَحَّ أَنَّ الذِّكْرَ عُمْرٌ ثَانِ
And indeed, you are the most enduring of those whom death has visited,
Yet you are more enduring than him wasted by vicissitudes,
if remembrance is truly a second life.
If it be true that mention is a second life,
لَكِنَّbut مِصْرَEgypt وَقَدْand already بَعُدَتْhas grown distant مَرُوعَةٌis terrified
لَكِنَّ مِصْرَ وَقَدْ بَعُدَتْ مَرُوعَةٌ
تَزْدَادُincreases أَشْجَاناًin sorrows عَلَىupon أَشْجَانِsorrows
تَزْدَادُ أَشْجَاناً عَلَى أَشْجَانِ
But Egypt, in separation, is stricken with dread,
But Egypt though remote is even more grief-stricken,
adding sorrows to sorrows.
Her sorrows redoubling upon sorrows,
مَنْwho مُبْلغُwill convey to النَّائِيthe distant one أَلُوكَa message from حَزِينَةٍa sorrowing woman
مَنْ مُبْلغُ النَّائِي أَلُوكَ حَزِينَةٍ
لِنَوَاهُfor his absence وَالأَخَوَانِand the two brothers يَنْتَحِرَانِdestroy themselves
لِنَوَاهُ وَالأَخَوَانِ يَنْتَحِرَانِ
Who will bring the distant one the message of a woman grieving
Who will inform the distant Alwiya in her sadness,
for his absence, while the two brothers destroy themselves?
And the brethren who took their lives?
أَلغِيلُthe thicket تَطْرُقُهُvisit it الذِّئَابُthe wolves عَشِيَّةًat dusk
أَلغِيلُ تَطْرُقُهُ الذِّئَابُ عَشِيَّةً
وَبِلُهْنَةٍand with a morsel يَتَشَاغَلُbusy themselves اللَّيْثَانِthe two lions
وَبِلُهْنَةٍ يَتَشَاغَلُ اللَّيْثَانِ
The wolves visit the thicket at dusk,
Al-Ghil wanders while jackals lurk at dusk,
while the two lions busy themselves with a morsel.
And in Al-Lahuna the lions are preoccupied,
أَتُلِمُّwill visit? رُوحُكَyour spirit بِالحِمَىto the homeland إِلمَامَةًa brief visit
أَتُلِمُّ رُوحُكَ بِالحِمَى إِلمَامَةً
فَيَرَىso will see الهُدَىguidance فِيin نُورِهَاits light الخَصْمَانِthe two adversaries
فَيَرَى الهُدَى فِي نُورِهَا الخَصْمَانِ
Will your spirit pay the homeland a brief visit,
Does your spirit burn with zeal like a flame,
so that both adversaries see guidance in its light?
Whereby foes behold guidance in its light?
سِنَةٌdrowsiness عَلَىupon عَيْنَيْكَyour two eyes رَانَتْhas settled دُونَهُbarring it
سِنَةٌ عَلَى عَيْنَيْكَ رَانَتْ دُونَهُ
وَإِلَيْهِand toward it لَفْتَةُa turn of قَلْبِكَyour heart اليَقْظَانِwakeful
وَإِلَيْهِ لَفْتَةُ قَلْبِكَ اليَقْظَانِ
Drowsiness has settled on your eyes, shutting it out,
A year above your eyes he took precedence,
yet toward it turns your wakeful heart.
And to him your heart’s stolen glances,
فَقَدَتْlost بِثَرْوَتَwith Tharwat مِصْرُEgypt ثَرْوَةَa wealth of حِكْمَةٍwisdom
فَقَدَتْ بِثَرْوَتَ مِصْرُ ثَرْوَةَ حِكْمَةٍ
كَانَتْwas ذَخِيرَةَa reserve of قُوَّةٍstrength وَصِيَانِand protection
كَانَتْ ذَخِيرَةَ قُوَّةٍ وَصِيَانِ
With Tharwat, Egypt has lost a wealth of wisdom
Thus Egypt lost in you a treasure of wisdom,
that was a reserve of strength and protection,
A reserve of strength and protection,
مَأْمُولَةًlooked to فِيin كَشْفِdispelling كُلِّevery مُلِمَّةٍcalamity
مَأْمُولَةً فِي كَشْفِ كُلِّ مُلِمَّةٍ
أَلْقَتْlaid عَلَىupon صَدْرِthe breast of الحِمَىthe homeland بِجِرَانِwith a camel's neck
أَلْقَتْ عَلَى صَدْرِ الحِمَى بِجِرَانِ
looked to for dispelling every calamity
Hopefully unveiling every dilemma,
that laid its camel's neck upon the homeland's breast.
Cast upon the breast of zeal its bridle,
رَجُلٌa man إِذَاif وَازَنْتَyou weighed فِيin مِيزَانهhis scales
رَجُلٌ إِذَا وَازَنْتَ فِي مِيزَانه
مَنْone whom لاnot يُرَاجَحُcan be outweighed عَادَemerged بِالرَّجْحَانِwith the greater weight
مَنْ لا يُرَاجَحُ عَادَ بِالرَّجْحَانِ
A man who, if you weighed against him on his scales
A man whom if weighed in his balance,
one none could outweigh, would himself prove the weightier.
None can equal, he exceeds all,
طَلْقٌopen مُحَيَّاهُhis countenance سَرِيٌّnoble طَبْعُهُhis nature
طَلْقٌ مُحَيَّاهُ سَرِيٌّ طَبْعُهُ
عَذْبُsweet الشَّمَائِلِin character نَاصِعُclear التِّبْيَانِin expression
عَذْبُ الشَّمَائِلِ نَاصِعُ التِّبْيَانِ
His countenance was open, his nature noble,
Frank, his manner secretive, gentle natured,
sweet in character, lucid in expression.
Sweetly dispositioned, lucidly eloquent,
سَمْحُgenerous السَّرِيرَةِinner nature هَمُّهُhis concern ألاnot to يَرَىsee
سَمْحُ السَّرِيرَةِ هَمُّهُ ألا يَرَى
مِنْany ثُلْمَةٍbreach فِيin وَحْدَةِthe unity of الأَوْطَانِthe homelands
مِنْ ثُلْمَةٍ فِي وَحْدَةِ الأَوْطَانِ
Generous of heart, his concern was never to see
Tolerant, his care that no blemish be seen,
any breach in the unity of the homelands.
In the oneness of nations,
كِلَفٌdevoted بِنَفْعِto benefiting بِلادهhis country مُتَغَمِّدٌcovering
كِلَفٌ بِنَفْعِ بِلاده مُتَغَمِّدٌ
ذَنْبَthe offense of المُسِيءِthe wrongdoer إِلَيْهِagainst him بِالغُفْرَانِwith forgiveness
ذَنْبَ المُسِيءِ إِلَيْهِ بِالغُفْرَانِ
Devoted to his country's welfare, he cloaked
Concerned with benefiting his country, cloaking,
the offense of those who wronged him in forgiveness.
The faults of those who wronged him, in forgiveness,
لَوْلاwere it not for هَوَاهُhis love لِقَوْمهfor his people لَمْnot تَتَّقِدْwould blaze
لَوْلا هَوَاهُ لِقَوْمه لَمْ تَتَّقِدْ
فِيهِwithin him لَظَىthe flame of حِقْدٍrancor وَلاnor شَنَآنِhatred
فِيهِ لَظَى حِقْدٍ وَلا شَنَآنِ
Were it not for his love of his people, there would never burn
Had he not loved his people, no fire of rancor,
within him the blaze of rancor or hatred.
Would have burned in him, nor any enmity,
تَبْلُوهُyou test him عَنْat كَثَبٍclose range فَتُلْفِيso you find النُّبْلَnobility فِيin
تَبْلُوهُ عَنْ كَثَبٍ فَتُلْفِي النُّبْلَ فِي
إِسْرَارِهhis private conduct وَالنُّبْلُand nobility فِيin الإِعْلانِpublic conduct
إِسْرَارِه وَالنُّبْلُ فِي الإِعْلانِ
Examine him closely, and you find nobility in
Test him closely and you find nobility in,
his private conduct, and nobility in public.
His intimacy, and nobility in the open,
وَتَرَىand you see زَعِيماًa leader تَتَّقِيهِyou fear him مَهَابَةًout of awe
وَتَرَى زَعِيماً تَتَّقِيهِ مَهَابَةً
وَتَرَىand you see أَخاًa brother مِنْamong أَوْدَعِthe gentlest of الإِخْوَانِbrothers
وَتَرَى أَخاً مِنْ أَوْدَعِ الإِخْوَانِ
You see a leader whom you hold in awe,
You see a leader to be feared in awe,
and a brother among the gentlest of brothers.
And a brother amongst the closest of siblings,
ثِقَةُthe trusted one of الثِّقَاتِthe trustworthy وَغَوْثُand the refuge of كُلِّevery مُهَذَّبٍrefined person
ثِقَةُ الثِّقَاتِ وَغَوْثُ كُلِّ مُهَذَّبٍ
أَوْدَىruined بِهِhim رَيْبٌa misfortune مِنَamong الحِدْثَانِthe vicissitudes of time
أَوْدَى بِهِ رَيْبٌ مِنَ الحِدْثَانِ
Trusted by the trustworthy, a refuge for every refined soul
Confidant of the trusted, refuge of all the refined,
whom a stroke of misfortune has laid low.
To whom suspicion cleaves, from the trustworthy,
مَنْwho بَعْدَهُafter him يُشْكِيrelieves distress إِذَاwhen العَافِيthe supplicant شَكَاcomplains of
مَنْ بَعْدَهُ يُشْكِي إِذَا العَافِي شَكَا
بُرَحَاءهُhis anguish وَيَفَكُّand unbinds قَيْدَthe fetter of العَانِيthe captive
بُرَحَاءهُ وَيَفَكُّ قَيْدَ العَانِي
Who after him will relieve the supplicant who laments
After him whoever complains when well, he would relieve,
his anguish, and unchain the captive?
And loosen the bond of the troubled,
إِنْif أَكْبَرَتْdeems great فِيهِin him المُرُوءةُmagnanimity خَطْبُهَاits affliction
إِنْ أَكْبَرَتْ فِيهِ المُرُوءةُ خَطْبُهَا
فَالرُّزْءُfor the loss العَيْنِthe eye فِيin إِنْسَانِthe pupil
فَالرُّزْءُ العَيْنِ فِي إِنْسَانِ
If magnanimity deems its loss in him immense,
If manliness has raised its matters,
the loss is an eye's loss of its pupil.
Then tearful eyes are the adornment of man,
كَانَتْwas بِحَاجَاتِregarding the needs of الكِرَامِnoble people بَصِيرَةًclear-sighted
كَانَتْ بِحَاجَاتِ الكِرَامِ بَصِيرَةً
وَاليَوْمَand today تُخْطِيءُmisses مَوْقِعَthe proper place of الإِحْسَانِkindness
وَاليَوْمَ تُخْطِيءُ مَوْقِعَ الإِحْسَانِ
It saw clearly the needs of noble people,
She was aware of the needs of the generous,
and today it misses the proper place for kindness.
Today she misses the place of kindness,
وَلِيَheld charge of الإِدَارَةَadministration وَالقَضَاءَand the judiciary فَلَمْand did not يَكُنْbe
وَلِيَ الإِدَارَةَ وَالقَضَاءَ فَلَمْ يَكُنْ
بِمُفَرِّطٍnegligent أَوْor مُفْرِطٍexcessive فِيin شَانِany affair
بِمُفَرِّطٍ أَوْ مُفْرِطٍ فِي شَانِ
He held charge of administration and justice, and was never
He assumed judiciary and administration so there was no,
negligent or excessive in any affair.
Excess or negligence in his affair,
لَمْnot يُرْضهِpleased him التَّقْوِيضُdemolition مُدَّةَthroughout حُكْمِهِhis rule
لَمْ يُرْضهِ التَّقْوِيضُ مُدَّةَ حُكْمِهِ
فَبَنَىso he built وَخَيْرُand the best of القَائِمِينَthose in charge أَلبَانِيthe builder
فَبَنَى وَخَيْرُ القَائِمِينَ أَلبَانِي
Demolition never pleased him throughout his rule;
Destabilization did not please him during his rule,
so he built, and the best of those in charge is the builder.
So he built, and best are those who construct,
رَاضَtamed الصِّعَابَthe difficulties العَاتِيَاتِthe defiant مُذَلِّلاًsubduing
رَاضَ الصِّعَابَ العَاتِيَاتِ مُذَلِّلاً
عَقَبَاتِهَاtheir obstacles بِالدَّأْبِthrough perseverance وَالإِحْسَانِand excellence
عَقَبَاتِهَا بِالدَّأْبِ وَالإِحْسَانِ
He tamed the fierce difficulties, subduing
He overcame the high obstacles, humbling them,
their obstacles through perseverance and excellence.
With perseverance and benevolence,
أَعَرَفْتَdid you know? إِذْwhen دَعَتِcalled البِلادُthe country إِلَىto الفِدَىsacrifice
أَعَرَفْتَ إِذْ دَعَتِ البِلادُ إِلَى الفِدَى
إِقْدَامَthe boldness of ذَاكَthat المُسْعِدِthe supporter المِعْوَانِthe ever-helpful
إِقْدَامَ ذَاكَ المُسْعِدِ المِعْوَانِ
Did you know, when the country called for sacrifice,
Do you remember when the country summoned all to sacrifice,
the daring of that helper, ever ready to lend aid?
The resolve of that fortunate, supported one?
أَيَّامَin the days يَبْذُلُoffered فِيin الطَّلِيعَةthe vanguard نَفْسَهُhimself
أَيَّامَ يَبْذُلُ فِي الطَّلِيعَة نَفْسَهُ
لِنَجَاتِهَاfor her deliverance مِنْfrom ذِلَّةٍabasement وَهَوَانِand humiliation
لِنَجَاتِهَا مِنْ ذِلَّةٍ وَهَوَانِ
In those days he offered himself in the vanguard
Days he would risk himself in the vanguard,
to save her from abasement and humiliation.
For its deliverance from humiliation and abasement,
فِيin الوَقْفَةِthe stand الكُبْرَىthe great لَهُhe has الأَثَرُthe mark الَّذِيthat
فِي الوَقْفَةِ الكُبْرَى لَهُ الأَثَرُ الَّذِي
يَبْقَىendures عَلَىthrough مُتَعَاقِبِthe succession of الأَزْمَانِthe ages
يَبْقَى عَلَى مُتَعَاقِبِ الأَزْمَانِ
In the great stand he left a mark that
In the supreme stand his is the impact that,
endures through successive ages.
Endures over succession of eras,
أَلسَّيْفُthe sword يَلْمَعُflashes بِالوَعِيدِwith menace حِيَالَهُbefore him
أَلسَّيْفُ يَلْمَعُ بِالوَعِيدِ حِيَالَهُ
فِيin كُلِّevery أُفْقٍhorizon أَنْكَرَthe most dreadful اللَّمَعَانِgleaming
فِي كُلِّ أُفْقٍ أَنْكَرَ اللَّمَعَانِ
The sword flashes menacingly before him,
The sword gleams threateningly toward him,
on every horizon, with the most dreadful gleam.
In every defiant horizon refusing to gleam,
مُتَبَسِّماًsmiling وَمِنَand among النَّذِيرِwarnings تَبَسُّمٌa smile
مُتَبَسِّماً وَمِنَ النَّذِيرِ تَبَسُّمٌ
يَبْدُوappears قُبَيْلَjust before تَوَقُّدِthe flaring of النِّيرَانِthe fires
يَبْدُو قُبَيْلَ تَوَقُّدِ النِّيرَانِ
Smiling—and a smile may also be a warning,
Smiling while the harbinger’s smile,
appearing just before the fires blaze.
Emerges ere the kindling of fires,
لَكِنَّbut مَنْone who يَرْعَىguards الحَقِيقَةَthe truth رَعْيَهُas he guarded it
لَكِنَّ مَنْ يَرْعَى الحَقِيقَةَ رَعْيَهُ
يَأْبَىrefuses بَقَاءٌsurvival فِيin مَقَامِa station of تَفَانِself-sacrifice
يَأْبَى بَقَاءٌ فِي مَقَامِ تَفَانِ
But one who guards the truth as he did
But he who tends truth in its pasture,
scorns survival at the station of self-sacrifice.
Refuses remaining in selflessness,
أَمَلٌa hope تَعَرَّضَتِinterposed المَنَايَاdeadly fates دُونَهُin its way
أَمَلٌ تَعَرَّضَتِ المَنَايَا دُونَهُ
فَمَضَىyet he pressed on وَمَاand not يَثْنِيهِturns him back عَنْهُfrom it ثَانِa deterrent
فَمَضَى وَمَا يَثْنِيهِ عَنْهُ ثَانِ
A hope, with deadly fates standing in its way;
A hope bodies stood before it,
yet he pressed on, with none to turn him from it.
And he passed on, nothing dissuades him,
لَوْif أَنَّthat مَوْتاًa death جَازَwere possible قَبْلَbefore أَوَانِهits appointed time
لَوْ أَنَّ مَوْتاً جَازَ قَبْلَ أَوَانِه
أَيَكُونُwould it be? غَيْرَother than المَوْتِdeath بَعْدَafter أَوَانِa time
أَيَكُونُ غَيْرَ المَوْتِ بَعْدَ أَوَانِ
If death could occur before its appointed time,
As if a death before one’s time,
would it differ from death at a later time?
Could be other than death after one’s time,
أَلحِلْمُforbearance مَاwhat تَجْلُوreveals صَبَاحَةٌradiance وَجْههِhis face
أَلحِلْمُ مَا تَجْلُو صَبَاحَةٌ وَجْههِ
وَالعَزْمُand resolve مَاwhat تَذْكُوblaze بِهِwith it العَيْنَانِthe two eyes
وَالعَزْمُ مَا تَذْكُو بِهِ العَيْنَانِ
Forbearance was what his face's radiance revealed,
Clemency what serenity of face it reveals,
and resolve was what made his two eyes blaze.
And resolve what the eyes kindle,
وَوَرَاءَand behind مَاwhat تُبْدِيreveal الجِبَاهُthe foreheads سَرَائِرٌsecrets
وَوَرَاءَ مَا تُبْدِي الجِبَاهُ سَرَائِرٌ
وَوَرَاءَand behind مَاwhat تُخْفِيconceal القُلُوبُthe hearts مَعَانِmeanings
وَوَرَاءَ مَا تُخْفِي القُلُوبُ مَعَانِ
And behind what foreheads reveal are secrets,
Beyond what brows display are secrets,
and behind what hearts conceal are meanings.
And beyond what hearts conceal are meanings,
أَأَتَتْكَhave reached you? أَنْبَاءُtidings of المُنَابَذَةِhostility الَّتِيthat
أَأَتَتْكَ أَنْبَاءُ المُنَابَذَةِ الَّتِي
رِيعَwere frightened الثِّقَاتُthe trustworthy لَهَاby it مِنِfrom اطْمِئْنَانِtranquility
رِيعَ الثِّقَاتُ لَهَا مِنِ اطْمِئْنَانِ
Have the tidings reached you of the hostility that
Did news reach you of the estrangement,
frightened the trustworthy out of their peace?
To which the trusted were exposed in their tranquility?
مَاnot زَالَceased بِالَّلأُوَاءِwith hardship حَتَّىuntil ذَادَهَاhe repelled it
مَا زَالَ بِالَّلأُوَاءِ حَتَّى ذَادَهَا
وَقَضَىand put an end عَلَىto التَّشْتِيتِdisunity وَالخِذْلانِand desertion
وَقَضَى عَلَى التَّشْتِيتِ وَالخِذْلانِ
He kept facing hardship until he drove it away,
He remained with the loyal until he repelled it,
and put an end to disunity and desertion.
And ended disunity and abandonment,
وَوَفَىand kept faith لِمِصْرَwith Egypt بِرَدِّةِby restoring مِنْof حَقِّهَاher rights
وَوَفَى لِمِصْرَ بِرَدِّةِ مِنْ حَقِّهَا
مَاwhat كَادَnearly يَسْتَعْصِيproved too difficult عَلَىfor الإِمْكَانِpossibility
مَا كَادَ يَسْتَعْصِي عَلَى الإِمْكَانِ
And he kept faith with Egypt, restoring of her rights
And fulfilled Egypt’s entitlement of her right,
what had almost defied all possibility.
What almost evaded possibility,
لَمْnot يَنْسَforgot قَطُّever الشَّعْبِthe people فِيin سُلْطَانِهَاher sovereignty
لَمْ يَنْسَ قَطُّ الشَّعْبِ فِي سُلْطَانِهَا
فَأَقَرَّهُso he established them مُسْتَكْمِلَpossessing in full السُّلْطَانِsovereignty
فَأَقَرَّهُ مُسْتَكْمِلَ السُّلْطَانِ
He never forgot the people in her sovereignty,
He never forgot the people in her rule,
so he established them in the fullness of sovereign power.
So he settled them, completing authority,
وَأَضَافَand added بِالدُّسْتُورِwith the constitution أَرْوَعَthe most splendid دُرَّةٍpearl
وَأَضَافَ بِالدُّسْتُورِ أَرْوَعَ دُرَّةٍ
يُزْهَىis made resplendent بِهَاby it إِكْلِيلُهَاher crown النُّورَانِيradiant
يُزْهَى بِهَا إِكْلِيلُهَا النُّورَانِي
With the constitution he added the most splendid pearl,
And added with the constitution the most splendid pearl,
with which her radiant crown is made resplendent.
With which her diadem shone luminously,
أَشَهَدْتَهُdid you witness him? أَيَّامَin the days أُغْمِدَتِwere sheathed الظُّبَىthe sword blades
أَشَهَدْتَهُ أَيَّامَ أُغْمِدَتِ الظُّبَى
وَتَلاقَتِand converged الآرَاءُopinions فِيin المَيْدَانِthe field
وَتَلاقَتِ الآرَاءُ فِي المَيْدَانِ
Did you witness him in the days when blades were sheathed
You witnessed the days when swords were sheathed,
and opinions met upon the field,
And views converged in the arena,
فَرَأَيْتَso you saw فِيin تَغْرِيبِهِhis exile عَنْfrom قَوْمِهِhis people
فَرَأَيْتَ فِي تَغْرِيبِهِ عَنْ قَوْمِهِ
آيَاتِthe signs of ذَاكَthat الحُبَّlove وَالإِيمَانِand faith
آيَاتِ ذَاكَ الحُبَّ وَالإِيمَانِ
and see, in his exile from his people,
So in his isolation from his people you saw,
the signs of that love and faith?
Signs of that love and faith,
يَجْلُوclarifies أَدِلَّتَهُمْtheir proofs بِأَيِّwith what يَرَاعَةٍreed pen
يَجْلُو أَدِلَّتَهُمْ بِأَيِّ يَرَاعَةٍ
وَيقِيمُand establishes حُجَّتَهُمْtheir case بِأَيِّwith what لِسَانِtongue
وَيقِيمُ حُجَّتَهُمْ بِأَيِّ لِسَانِ
With what a reed pen he clarified their proofs,
Making clear their arguments with whatever caution,
and with what a tongue he established their case!
And establishing their case in whichever tongue,
فِيin الحِلِّresidence وَالتَّرْحَالِand travel يَنْضَحُdefends عَنْهُمُon their behalf
فِي الحِلِّ وَالتَّرْحَالِ يَنْضَحُ عَنْهُمُ
بِوُضُوحِwith clarity of بُرْهَانٍproof وَسِحْرِand enchantment of بَيَانِeloquence
بِوُضُوحِ بُرْهَانٍ وَسِحْرِ بَيَانِ
At home and on the road, he defended them
In permitted and travel from him emanates,
with clear proof and the enchantment of eloquence.
With the lucidity of proof and magic of rhetoric,
فَيُحَاوِرُso he debates القَهَّارُthe overpowering ruler غَيْرَwithout مُمَاذِقٍdissembling
فَيُحَاوِرُ القَهَّارُ غَيْرَ مُمَاذِقٍ
وَيُدَاوِرُand negotiates with الجَبَّارَthe tyrant غَيْرَwithout جَبَانِcowardice
وَيُدَاوِرُ الجَبَّارَ غَيْرَ جَبَانِ
So he debated the overpowering ruler without dissembling,
He dialogues with the Supreme without tasting,
and negotiated with the tyrant without cowardice.
And parleys with the Compeller without cowardice,
مُتَحَوِّلٌchanging لَكِنَّهُbut he مُتَمَكِّنٌfirmly in control
مُتَحَوِّلٌ لَكِنَّهُ مُتَمَكِّنٌ
مِنْof نَفْسself فِيat مِحْوَرِthe axis of الدَّوَرَانِrotation
مِنْ نَفْس فِي مِحْوَرِ الدَّوَرَانِ
Changing, yet firmly in command
Transforming yet firmly anchored,
of himself at the axis of rotation.
A being at the axis of orbit,
وَانْunhurried إِذَاwhen نُهزُopportunities for النَّجَاحِsuccess تَبَاطَأَتْwere slow
وَانْ إِذَا نُهزُ النَّجَاحِ تَبَاطَأَتْ
فَإِذَاbut when تَحَيَّنَهَاhe watched for their moment فَلَيْسَthen he is not بِوَانِsluggish
فَإِذَا تَحَيَّنَهَا فَلَيْسَ بِوَانِ
Unhurried when chances of success were slow to come,
If the attainment of success slows down,
but when he watched for their moment, he was no laggard.
Then seizes it without hesitation,
وَمِنَand among التَّقَدُّمِadvances فِيin المَجَالِthe field تَأَخُّرٌretreat
وَمِنَ التَّقَدُّمِ فِي المَجَالِ تَأَخُّرٌ
وَمِنَand among البِدَارِhaste تَلَكُّؤٌhesitation وَتَوَانِand delay
وَمِنَ البِدَارِ تَلَكُّؤٌ وَتَوَانِ
And advancing in the field may mean retreat,
And from advancement in the arena is some delay,
and haste may mean hesitation and delay.
And from initiation some reluctance and dawdling,
وَيُكَاتِمُand conceals from النَّاسَpeople الَّذِيwhat فِيin صَدْرِهhis breast
وَيُكَاتِمُ النَّاسَ الَّذِي فِي صَدْرِه
وَمِنَand among القُوَىstrengths مَاwhat نِيطَis tied بِالكِتْمَانِto concealment
وَمِنَ القُوَى مَا نِيطَ بِالكِتْمَانِ
He concealed from people what lay within his breast,
He hides from people what is in his heart,
and among strengths are those bound to secrecy.
For from faculties is what depends on concealment,
فِيamong مَعْشَرٍa company مُتَفَرِّقٍdivided أَهْوَاؤُهُمْtheir inclinations
فِي مَعْشَرٍ مُتَفَرِّقٍ أَهْوَاؤُهُمْ
كَتَفَرُّقِlike the diversity of الأَذْوَاقِtastes وَالأَلْوَانِand colors
كَتَفَرُّقِ الأَذْوَاقِ وَالأَلْوَانِ
Among a company divided in their inclinations,
Amongst a dispersed multitude their whims,
as tastes and colors differ.
Are as divergent as tastes and colors,
أَشَهِيدَO martyr to أَنْبَلِthe noblest of مَاwhat يُكَابِدُendures مُغْرَمٌone enamored
أَشَهِيدَ أَنْبَلِ مَا يُكَابِدُ مُغْرَمٌ
بِبِلادِهِof his country مِنْthrough حُبِّهَاlove of her وَيُعَانِيand suffers
بِبِلادِهِ مِنْ حُبِّهَا وَيُعَانِي
O martyr to the noblest trials endured by one enamored
I attest to the most noble of what one enamored,
of his country, suffering for love of her,
Of his country endures for love of it and suffers,
تَبْكِيكَweeps for you مِصْرُEgypt اليَوْمَtoday مِثْلَas بُكَائِهَاher weeping
تَبْكِيكَ مِصْرُ اليَوْمَ مِثْلَ بُكَائِهَا
يَوْمَon the day of الرَّحِيلِdeparture وَقَدْand already مَضَىhave passed حَوْلانِtwo years
يَوْمَ الرَّحِيلِ وَقَدْ مَضَى حَوْلانِ
Egypt weeps for you today as she wept
Egypt cries over you today like her weeping,
on the day of departure, though two years have passed.
The day you departed, a year having passed,
فَقَدَتْlost بِفَقْدِكَin losing you أَيَّwhat a سَيْفٍsword صَارِمٍkeen-edged
فَقَدَتْ بِفَقْدِكَ أَيَّ سَيْفٍ صَارِمٍ
عَزَّتْgained might بِهِthrough it وَدَرِئيَةٍand a shield فِيat آنِthe same time
عَزَّتْ بِهِ وَدَرِئيَةٍ فِي آنِ
In losing you, what a keen-edged sword she lost,
So in losing you she lost what determined sword,
that gave her might—and a shield at the same time!
She prided herself on, and protection at a time,
عُنْوَنَgave a title to نَهْضَتِهَاher revival وَخَيْرُand the finest مُحَصَّلٍgain
عُنْوَنَ نَهْضَتِهَا وَخَيْرُ مُحَصَّلٍ
مِنْfrom مَجْدِهَاher glory فِيin ذَلِكَthat العُنْوَانِtitle
مِنْ مَجْدِهَا فِي ذَلِكَ العُنْوَانِ
He gave her revival its title, and the finest harvest
The epitome of her renaissance and the best harvest,
of her glory is found in that title.
Of her glory in that epitome,
هَيْهَاتَfar from possible يَسْلُبُهَاrobs her زَمَانٌtime مَنْone who لَهُhe has
هَيْهَاتَ يَسْلُبُهَا زَمَانٌ مَنْ لَهُ
فِيهَاin her مَآثِرُillustrious deeds مِلْءُfilling كُلِّevery زَمَانِage
فِيهَا مَآثِرُ مِلْءُ كُلِّ زَمَانِ
Never can time rob her of one who has
Alas, no time can rob her what for him,
within her illustrious deeds filling every age.
Therein are exploits filling each time,
أَمَّاas for وَدِيعَتُكَyour entrusted legacy الَّتِيwhich خَلَّفْتَهَاyou left behind
أَمَّا وَدِيعَتُكَ الَّتِي خَلَّفْتَهَا
فَالحَقُّthen truth يَكْلَؤُهَاguards it فَنَمْso sleep بِأَمَانِin safety
فَالحَقُّ يَكْلَؤُهَا فَنَمْ بِأَمَانِ
As for the trust you left behind,
As for your legacy you left behind,
truth watches over it, so sleep in safety.
Right will protect it, so sleep in security,
وَعَلَىand despite اصْطِفَاقِthe clashing of المَوْجِwaves فِيمَاin what حَوْلَهَاis around it
وَعَلَى اصْطِفَاقِ المَوْجِ فِيمَا حَوْلَهَا
هِيَit مَعْقِلٌa stronghold مُتَمَكِّنُfirmly established الأَرْكَانِthe pillars
هِيَ مَعْقِلٌ مُتَمَكِّنُ الأَرْكَانِ
And despite the clashing waves all around it,
And despite the storming sea around it,
it is a stronghold with firmly established pillars.
It is an impenetrable stronghold,
يَرْتَدُّrecoils رَيْبُthe misfortunes of الدَّهْرِtime عَنْهَاfrom it حَاسِراًdisarmed
يَرْتَدُّ رَيْبُ الدَّهْرِ عَنْهَا حَاسِراً
وَتُصَانُand is guarded بِالأَرْوَاحِwith souls وَالأَبْدَانِand bodies
وَتُصَانُ بِالأَرْوَاحِ وَالأَبْدَانِ
The misfortunes of time recoil from it, disarmed,
Suspicion of fate recoils from it defeated,
and it is guarded with souls and bodies.
As it is safeguarded by souls and bodies,
أَقْرَانُكَyour peers الأَمْجَادُillustrious فِيamong الشَّيبِthe gray-haired الأُولَىwho
أَقْرَانُكَ الأَمْجَادُ فِي الشَّيبِ الأُولَى
يَرْعَوْنَهَاcare for it وَبَنُوكَand your sons فِيamong الفِتْيَانِthe young men
يَرْعَوْنَهَا وَبَنُوكَ فِي الفِتْيَانِ
Your illustrious peers among the gray-haired are those who
Your glorious peers in their prime,
watch over it, along with your sons among the young.
Are pasturing it, and your sons in their youth,
Sol 6.1