لَو قالَ للسَّيل وهْوَ مُنحدِرٌ

في صَبَبٍ قِفْ ولا تَفِضْ وقَفا

Were he to speak to the sword as it plunged,

“In your downward rush, halt—do not pass beyond,” it would halt.

أو قالَ للَيلِ وهُوَ مُنسدِلٌ

شَمِّرْ ذَيولَ الظَّلامِ لانكَشفا

Or to the night while it hung unfurled,

“Gather up the skirts of darkness,” it would clear away.

أوقالَ للرِّيحِ وهْيَ تعصِفُ كُنْ

على الورى سَجْسَجا لما عصَفا

Or to the wind as it snatched things away, “Be

mild toward all creation,” it would never rage.

أوامرَ الليِّلَ والنَّهارَ بأنْ

يصطلِحا طائِعَيْنِ ما اختَلفا

Or were he to command night and day to

make peace, they would obey and never differ.