Sol 6.1

  1. I truly hear the portents of war resounding

    On land and sea, across the horizons and among the clouds.

  2. And every kingdom is an adversary to another kingdom

    With the steel and flame it prepares.

  3. And where are your armaments for it, O people of Egypt,

    While you are the target of raids and calamities?

  4. Perhaps you have dispensed with its battalions

    Through books, hollow speeches, and clamor.

  5. You will burn in its blaze as you did yesterday, though

    You are neither enemies nor friends to any people.

  6. Will you sleep, then, until you are roused and see

    All you must defend amid the remnants of captivity and plunder?

  7. You have prolonged discord and division among yourselves

    Over offices, titles, and ranks.

  8. And every young man began offering up his principle,

    Like a market trader amid supply and demand.

  9. And today it has become a kindness and a noble deed—

    What yesterday was a source of rage and anger.

  10. There is contradiction and confusion in your inclinations;

    So I cannot tell earnestness from play.

  11. Would that he who plans a right course followed by error

    Had cleared the way, neither erring nor hitting the mark.

  12. You lament the distress financial crises bring you,

    While the realm is in distress from a crisis of morals.

  13. And whoever's debt exceeds what he possesses,

    His payment in paper is like payment in gold.

  14. Break the chains and shackles, and seek,

    After deliverance, the example of the Turks and Arabs.

  15. Indeed, the adversary has told you plainly what he concealed,

    And moved from one aim concerning you to another.

  16. Nor has he brought anything new to his policy

    Except the means, the standard, and the reason.

  17. And in pursuing his aim, he is not given to fearing

    Whatever accusations and doubts there may be about it.

  18. I warned you, and you refused to let me warn you;

    So the aftermath and outcome I feared came to pass.

  19. I truly fear being killed by the guest lodged among you;

    Perhaps he will keep clear of you and strike me dead.

  20. May my blood bring the free martyr to mind

    For those who missed the reminder in my poetry and writings.

Sol 6.1