Sol 6

  1. O you who describe the noble Arabs to a nation

    That honors intellect and guards its own honor,

  2. And who honor the innate character of the pre-Islamic age,

    For which even distant cities envied them,

  3. And recount the life of that generation as

    Eyewitnesses witnessed it and surviving traces showed it,

  4. And portray their character as pure as

    The shining stars and fragrant flowers,

  5. And explain to the West how poetry took hold

    Of the brave people of the East,

  6. So that at times they even became—and from among their poets

    Came a commanding king whom they obeyed.

  7. How fine your testimony, by which you increased

    The stranger’s sympathy for them; welcome is such acknowledgment.

  8. With certain knowledge, you did justice to a people

    Whom earlier accounts had wronged.

  9. You admired their love and their restraint—and one who

    Refuses drink while fire burns within him—

  10. And the fidelity of beautiful women; indeed,

    Among noble women, noble men gain honor.

  11. You paused, and called others to pause, among their ruins,

    Stirred by longing and remembrance.

  12. You walked through their dwellings as through a garden

    Whose fruits are literature and ideas.

  13. The storm will never wear away its splendor, though

    The storm has worn away their homes and people.

  14. The accounts so captivated me that they became

    Like strings sounding in my ears.

  15. The telling showed me those people, until they seemed

    Present before my eyes.

  16. If remembrance could bring back one departed

    From among them, the generous and the valiant would return.

  17. Their natures were good; when they encountered

    Their Prophet, they recognized the path and followed it.

  18. Their resolve surged onward; when they fought,

    That tide swept through kingdoms.

  19. If you are faithful to them, you are their friend;

    If you care for them, you are their neighbor.

  20. You reminded Egypt of that conquest through which

    Your righteous forefathers found fellowship.

  21. They examined kingdoms and tested their various forms of rule

    Until, given a choice, they chose.

  22. If they welcomed the Muslims and were sincere

    To them, they became kin by marriage to Muhammad.

  23. What you have offered gives cause for optimism

    About the hoped-for future and for glad expectation.

  24. If an Egyptian group has celebrated you,

    Then Hashim and Nizar have celebrated you as well.

  25. Would that I could wander among the tribes

    Bearing the noble imam’s banner.

  26. I would call out and rouse everyone heedless and idle

    Until civilization and flourishing return.

  27. I would gather them around the crescent so they might sacrifice themselves,

    For they are the kingdom’s defenders and supporters.

  28. Their unity would please the sons of Osman,

    Who deserve the truest loyalty and zeal.

Sol 6