Sol 5.6

  1. I see corruption and evil, between which has been lost

    the people’s cause: there is neither faith nor moral character.

  2. A flood surges, its swelling waters laden with sins;

    whenever I say, “Hold back!” it only pours on, gushing.

  3. It has reached the souls, and one sorely afflicted says of it:

    “One survives, while another drowns in its depths.”

  4. Time washes itself of its sin with blood,

    and the earth burns in a fire fraught with terror.

  5. A people who, whenever the herald of guidance calls, recoil;

    but when blindness’ herald summons them, they race ahead.

  6. Nothing of the firmly wrought Revelation remains among them

    except ink that the eye sees upon paper.

  7. The paths of righteousness have narrowed around them, while widening

    among them are the roads to wickedness.

  8. Morning cried out when its vanguard appeared,

    at the evil of their deeds—and twilight burst into tears.

  9. No sooner do the people sin than their vices sweep them

    among the vanished nations, for all the evil they have done.

  10. They died of cowardice, yet fierce grew their assault

    upon God—then there was neither cowardice nor fear.

  11. They waged war against Him and did not fear His punishment,

    until He struck them, and the people lay thunderstruck.

  12. He made them taste the bitterness of affliction and forced them to gulp

    from humiliation a brimming bucket whose water overflowed.

  13. Alas for the exactions! They strike every possessor of wealth

    with a crushing burden beneath which the neck writhes;

  14. and taxes follow one upon another, with none to avert them,

    whether a farmer’s crop fails or a breadwinner’s livelihood dries up.

  15. Harvest comes, and the usurpers depart with whatever

    the locusts spared and the worms and leeches left.

  16. They go away full-bellied, while Egypt spends the night famished,

    starving, tightening her girdles around her entrails.

  17. Nothing remains of her—whatever conjectures they make about her—

    except life’s last spark, drawing near to death with only a faint breath.

  18. I marvel that procuring daily bread exhausts the people

    in a land where the Nile and human sweat flow abundantly.

  19. They never rest, and their laborer never ceases,

    driven abroad, setting forth in quest of a livelihood.

  20. Pharaoh was more honorable in keeping his covenant throughout his rule

    than despots who, but for oppression, would never have been created.

  21. They said, “You went astray, so we came to you to guide you,”

    then promised evacuation—yet neither kept faith nor spoke truth.

  22. The voice of falsehood in the mouths of their government

    rings loud and clamorous, while the voice of truth is choked.

  23. Day and night have grown threadbare, while a long span stretches before them

    of injustices neither frayed nor worn away.

  24. No succession of the evils of their rule ever ends

    but another succession is renewed among us after it.

  25. The occupation has lingered long; if we pass our nights in anxiety,

    time itself is troubled and restless from their oppression.

  26. They imagined that hearts were loyal to them, and were deceived by

    the base man’s acquiescence, false speech, and flattery.

  27. Would that I knew: have the people gone mad, or do they suppose

    that folly is among the names of affection?

  28. I would never fear a treacherous blow from the oppressors

    if only we united—but how are we to unite?

  29. When shall I see our common cause, after schism, made whole,

    the people no longer disparate factions or divided sects?

  30. Woe to the Quiver—Egypt! Through their divisions she has become

    bewildered in hope, not knowing whom to trust.

  31. Each has a doctrine through which he hopes for success,

    but truth is known by the discerning and astute.

  32. The people shall learn the fate of traitors, and what

    delusion has wrought, and ignorance and recklessness have brought.

Sol 5.6