Sol 5.6

  1. I donned the crown—the crown of pride—to show

    that the turban befits my station.

  2. And I recite the words of him who routed the squadrons

    and plunged with his spear into death’s abyss:

  3. “I am Ibn Jalā, climber of the mountain passes;

    when I lay aside my turban, you will know me.”

  4. For glory is a banner fastened

    above the crowns of turbans and fortresses.

  5. These fortresses, with their volleys, leveled mountains;

    those turbans, by their wrapping, dispelled stagnation.

  6. The cherished Lord of all creation wore a turban,

    as did the caliphs in the best of ages.

  7. The conqueror of the Bosphorus donned one by force of arms,

    as did Egypt’s ruler, lord of inviolate glory.

  8. And when the ruler of verdant Tunisia

    donned one, he took first place in captivating charm.

  9. We donned turbans and ruled every land;

    beyond the mainland, we crossed every dark sea.

  10. We donned turbans and subdued insolent

    tyrants who long had cried, “Leave me!”

  11. We donned turbans and brought souls safety,

    and kept the defiant foe beneath our watchful eyes.

  12. We donned turbans and struck terror into lions

    by raising strongholds and fortresses.

  13. We donned turbans and taught a people

    who now regard us as enemies of the arts.

  14. We donned turbans and met Europe in battle

    at its very heart, with an army like madness.

  15. We donned turbans, and kingship reached perfection among us;

    faith prevailed throughout every clan.

  16. We donned turbans, and every glory was ours.

    We donned fezzes—what have we gained? Show me!

Sol 5.6