Sol 6.1

  1. Bring forth marvels, O age of marvels!

    For you do not surpass my knowledge and experience.

  2. Why am I—with no home but my village—

    Torn between wandering east and west?

  3. I know of every event upon the earth,

    Yet see no one on earth who knows of me.

  4. I sacrifice myself for the dearest homeland, yet I am overlooked

    By my people, as though I were not counted among them.

  5. Today I suffer at their hands what was suffered

    Yesterday by Jacob's son at the hands of Jacob's sons.

  6. Would that I had warnings made of my blood or tears

    To them, now that my letters are held cheap.

  7. And would that my verse were spread among non-Arabs,

    After what was lost of it among the Arabs.

  8. And would that, exploring the Pole, I bore what

    I bore in Egypt of anguish and torment.

  9. And would that I were among its victims, and did not see

    The strife of a people overpowered in both its affairs.

  10. I revere the Nile among my people and in my homeland,

    Though what I drink today comes from elsewhere.

  11. And I have the balm that heals their wounds

    From calamities, made of character and goodness.

  12. In the keeping of time and fate, I have a hope

    Which I have sought without followers or companions.

  13. I have nothing but a conscience, which I nourish

    From myself, with the purest of what I inherit and acquire.

  14. Indeed, I search among the people for a man,

    But see only the deficient and the discredited.

  15. Can owners who fought over the ewe guard her,

    While they and their ewe are in the wolf's grip?

  16. The nights' harshness has become easier for them than

    Their rancor, lampoons, and lies.

  17. The enemies are spared the need for troops by their knowledge

    Of all that is concealed and hidden among us.

  18. And indeed, my compassion for my divided brothers

    Is like my compassion for the stabbed and beaten.

  19. Their disagreement might be easy for one like me to bear,

    If it did not turn into rancor among friends.

  20. Two policies—the difference I saw between them

    Was like that between building and destruction.

  21. And it may burden and sadden one like me

    To encounter an opinion he does not welcome.

  22. I knew each faction by its policy,

    And news of Sudan and the Nubians had not yet come.

  23. Where is the withdrawal? I have heard no

    Mention of it amid the talk and demands.

  24. And where is what the extremists used to captivate

    Their followers with—the chants and stirring song?

  25. Is their disarray not one of time's afflictions,

    Before battle, after preparation and training?

  26. Struggle is through selflessness and sacrifice;

    Struggle is not through bestowing titles and making appointments.

  27. The wealth and prestige they gained yesterday—was it their reward

    From all the people, or the spoils of one despoiled?

  28. If they invoke banishment and exile as an honor,

    How richly they were rewarded for banishment and exile!

  29. They would have been angels had they shunned

    Pleasure when offered choices and inducements.

  30. Is it zeal for truth, backed by proof—or fear

    For their spoils amid the claws?

  31. Will frenzied strife keep storming

    Against every party not affiliated with it?

  32. And is there anyone among the people who builds his leadership

    On soil stained with the people's blood?

  33. And whoever assumes rule in their place,

    His reward is every insinuation and reproach.

  34. They said, 'Succession to Saad.' I said, 'Sacred!'

    My words filling the squares and prayer niches.

  35. His principles are not anyone's exclusive preserve,

    But belong to the valiant and noble.

  36. True men are known by planning and insight,

    Not by swelling numbers and imposing dominance.

  37. So let them leave rule to the one most fit for it; for them

    In other roles there is every greeting and welcome.

  38. I have known you, son of Sulayman, as I have known

    The truth, after instruction and refinement.

  39. Are they angry at heaven, or at you,

    Though you are a surer guide for ruler and ruled?

  40. You took pains to preserve their pact, but they would accept

    Nothing but the fatal ends brought by those tricks.

  41. And one like you is looked to with hope and fear

    By all among his people who inspire hope and fear.

  42. You are the favored one, awaiting the appointed time,

    Free to choose between putting it off and bringing it near.

  43. And you are better able to face what comes and what is awaited,

    After retaining what was taken and what was given.

  44. And the master of the throne is pleased with what you plan,

    As are the reformers among the young and the gray-haired.

  45. And you are the better guardian of the constitution, implementing it

    Freely, with the finest detail and arrangement.

  46. And the cause has what you undertake to provide:

    Varied means and methods.

Sol 6.1