Sol 6.1

  1. At your service, at your service in these noble deeds.

    You are most deserving of honor and obedience.

  2. What a far-reaching call it is! The people clamored in response,

    seeking to hasten the fulfillment of far-off hopes.

  3. And the wealthy gathered around you and assembled,

    vying in gifts worthy of Hatim.

  4. So whoever once sees the amount you pledge

    volunteers for charity many times over.

  5. A trust for noble aims you have come to bear,

    and you are the noblest of those who discharge trusts.

  6. And Egypt draws from it, while it keeps growing,

    as though it were a treasure in the heavens.

  7. It is time for you to care for the homelands and make them happy,

    for every destined thing has an appointed time.

  8. You have risen to action with Alawi resolves,

    so you do not wish to stop at any goal.

  9. It is enough for your subjects, as a reminder of your grandfather,

    to see your steadfastness in these endeavors.

  10. He wrongs Egypt who forgets sincere concern for her

    and your family's merit, in the past and in the future.

  11. For you did not do her this kindness on her sons' behalf

    except to make her forget those wrongs.

  12. Indeed, those whose grandfather made the lands flourish

    are the most entitled to rule over them.

  13. If they leave their inheritance untended to the vicissitudes of fate,

    then who will protect it once its guardians are gone?

  14. And if they squander rights that cost them nothing

    but seeking redress, what use is recalling conquests?

  15. Smooth Egypt's path, O fortunate sovereign,

    beware every stubborn, aggressive tyrant.

  16. For the reward of one who strives to save her

    is surely that of one who comes between the wolf and the ewe.

  17. And among your sound measures is preparing men for her

    with knowledge before spears and Mashrafi swords,

  18. and relying on champions of experience

    before relying on champions of raids.

  19. So do send ten outstanding men each year

    from her, to return with thousands of forms of leadership.

  20. Or build in Egypt a college bringing together

    the various arts and kinds of industry.

  21. If Egypt does not lead in this age, then may

    the age gain no glory through cities or states.

  22. Was I among the sons of yesterday, that I should recall it?

    Or do I feel no pangs of anguish in my own day?

  23. And should I force my soul against its accustomed ways?

    I fear what joys might do to my heart.

  24. And within me are yearnings that fill the earth; I deem them too lofty

    to whisper of them, were it not for my pressing needs.

  25. I proclaimed them, crashing like thunder, yet did not

    find a generous, compassionate ear.

  26. Shall I absolve my age of blame, when I see

    no watchword among its free men but complaints?

  27. Indeed, lands without their master's independence

    are a wasteland to him, even if they become gardens.

  28. So if Egypt returns free to her master,

    it will be fitting to hold these festivals.

  29. I console myself by waiting for tomorrow,

    saving for tomorrow some remnants of life.

  30. Perhaps the Nile, from remembrance of its past,

    has glad tidings of what gives it hope for the future.

  31. I shall indeed defer my celebrations; and then

    the land will see my lamps and banners.

Sol 6.1