Sol 5.6

  1. Council of Consultation, has the warning reached you?

    Truly, the earth has nearly begun to heave.

  2. If you pretend ignorance or feign deafness toward us,

    then ask the parliamentarian, for he knows.

  3. When we demonstrated that day in protest,

    it was a hard day for the lawyer.

  4. Tell him for me: “I do not think you will forget

    that day when sighing overcame you.”

  5. You thought the ascent to sovereignty easy,

    so you rushed ahead—and hopes deceive.

  6. How came you to bow your head among us?

    Where has that mighty leader gone?

  7. Repent to God and confess the sins

    you committed, though conscience never pricked you for them.

  8. The age of partisanship has passed, so desist

    from persisting—or you shall see what comes.

  9. Take warning from us, though we may seem impassive,

    for you know what bitter cold can do.

  10. How many a youth has met his death against his will,

    though he was a mountain, famed like the firm-set peaks.

  11. It is said that Nimrod’s life was embittered

    by a gnat—and that is a lowly creature.

  12. O Children of Israel, gently! Why

    seek out the sick man when he is gravely ill?

  13. We have the better claim to what you resented; as for what

    you allege—that the judges act unjustly—

  14. the records of judgment proved you false in this,

    the day the director disclosed their report.

  15. Then those hopes became dust,

    vanishing away as aversion to them grew.

  16. If you provoke us, severing ties will hurt you more,

    for thereby your markets will be ruined.

  17. You were deluded and thought us lifeless matter,

    yet sparks fly even from steel.

  18. The hand of oppression awakened us, and we rose,

    as whatever is compressed erupts.

  19. We counseled one another to remain calm, and became

    images embodying nobility and composure.

  20. Some hoped that, if we acted rashly, they could ruin us,

    so they assailed us; but my party is discerning.

  21. Our crowds engulfed them, and there overtook them

    the awe of resurrection; the rising was firmly established.

  22. They incited the people against our party, but found us

    assembled like men spurred on by the call to arms,

  23. gathering with my teachers in fellowship,

    in one arena, all of them free and ardent.

  24. We mounted the rostrums to deliver

    speeches from which many benefit.

  25. We conferred about rights that must be respected,

    under a pledge at which the prince rejoices.

  26. We maintained the position we held,

    and the conditions under which we had proceeded.

  27. A delegation of ours went to the government,

    from which the envoy receives useful counsel.

  28. That people today immortalized a memory

    unparalleled among those of former times.

  29. Today it created within souls a feeling—

    whatever it was, blessed be that feeling!

  30. And suddenly our youth were astir,

    full of zeal—the times had turned in our favor.

  31. They found in our feeling enough to achieve

    advancement, and joy poured forth from us.

  32. Thus progress comes, one step

    after another, while the statesman turns with the times.

  33. Say: “Come! The reformers have awakened

    from slumber,” and it was said: “The bold have triumphed.”

  34. Bring me glad tidings of glory’s return among us,

    since signs of reform first appeared.

  35. What a renaissance, stirring a resolve

    that no lassitude can turn from defending our homeland!

  36. Do not imagine it a cradle for firm resolves,

    to be rocked until the little child sleeps within.

  37. Rather, extend the hand of cooperation until

    your rich and poor stand equal.

  38. A man in this world is only as strong as his brother,

    and brotherhood is the reformers’ support.

  39. Draw light from knowledge

    to dispel ignorance; procrastination is failure.

  40. Long ago, when people were full of life,

    our wool and silk filled the world.

  41. We attended to our affairs and united,

    and put our plans into practice, pointing toward right guidance.

  42. Sweep away whatever dates from the age of ʿĀd,

    and profit from what the ages have brought forth.

  43. Airships cleave the sky, gliding,

    and trains fly across the wilderness.

  44. Look how weaponry has advanced,

    and today its roar fills the forts.

  45. So muster whatever strength you can,

    for weakness is humiliation and ruin.

  46. Have you found a way to banking

    that sacred law has stated or indicated?

  47. My faith never conflicts with civilization;

    under religion’s protection, affairs are set right.

  48. The religion of Islam among us is like the sun;

    every age is illuminated by its guidance.

  49. Support it, and God will support you; but

    if you depart from it, you shall have no helper.

  50. My poetry grew tender, and my composition pleased you,

    so today I am worthy of song.

  51. I was told: “You compose poetry—why have you not

    said something that hearts will transmit from you?”

  52. So I took my seat upon the rostrum today, until

    I had said of you what Jarir never said.

  53. Drink it, then: a red wine with no guile in it,

    and savor it—for verse is pressed juice.

  54. Sing my anthem with fervor,

    while my eye delights in the singers.

  55. I seek no recompense but acceptance:

    your approval heartens and inspires.

Sol 5.6