Sol 6.1

  1. Return to the leader's pool and his shade,

    placing firm trust in his judgment and his paths.

  2. And take your provision of guidance from him, for

    the caravan nearly went astray behind the one misleading it.

  3. Indeed, what you endured after him,

    others endured the like before him.

  4. O absent ones, with desolation in your souls,

    from estrangement from him, and wounded pride from his reproach.

  5. You have roused his anger against you, while your enemies

    are more deserving of his wrath and his crushing assault.

  6. And you have occupied part of his attention with reproach,

    whereas disputing your foe has the greater claim on his attention.

  7. Would he concern himself with captives, loosening their bonds—

    a hero, while among them is one intent on killing him?

  8. Indeed, one who bore harm from his enemy

    should all the more bear harm from his own people.

  9. The people know no end to the dispute,

    and the people fear dying through their ignorance.

  10. This is more grievous for the homeland, and harsher than

    the tyranny of its protector and that of its occupier.

  11. Indeed, I am afraid of you and afraid for you,

    and pour out the lament of one grief-stricken and distraught.

  12. And those who forbid the proud man to offer his guest

    honor, though they are guests of the man who humiliates him!

  13. If the people's excuse was envoys from among you,

    then today's visitors are the best of his envoys.

  14. Does the conqueror kindle in the man he has defeated

    rancor, yet refuse to excuse him for his rancor?

  15. And does the man of violence drive the captive and ward off

    with the sword the cry of one made to suffer on his account?

  16. The appointed time draws near; where is what you have prepared

    for your adversary, his deceit, and his stalling?

  17. Will he renew his attack while you harbor fear

    of his might, and anguish at his arrogance?

  18. And yesterday you were tried by his lion's leap;

    do you feel safe today from his asp's venomous breath?

  19. And indeed, we have read in the tempests of his newspapers

    what we take no pleasure in mentioning or repeating.

  20. And your silence after the meeting aroused our suspicion,

    while he boasts of his words and his deeds.

  21. How can there be safety from him while he is stationed

    around the country with his cavalry and infantry?

  22. And who will guarantee its share of its Nile,

    while he surrounds both its branch and its source?

  23. Shall we journey from time's bondage and captivity,

    in factions, into the land's barrenness and drought?

  24. The man strong through his fire and iron is not

    like the man strong through his heart and his mind.

  25. And he argues falsely who claims his independence,

    if he finds no means to attain it in full.

  26. And if an unequivocal right comes as a voluntary gift

    and a favor, its greatest is like its least.

  27. Indeed, the people's unity was their greatest resource,

    and their chosen representative was the uniter of their ranks.

  28. Return to him, for every condition is void

    unless he scrutinizes it and dictates it.

  29. I indeed know—and experiences are many—

    the difference between their record and his.

  30. That stern handling is more fitting for them, and it

    is indeed the punishment for the tyrant who deifies himself.

  31. And every insolent man has a share of his firmness,

    and every free man a share of his generosity.

  32. O Saad, I am exalted by your approval of the truth of what

    I recite; and what fighter have you not exalted?

  33. I repay you, on behalf of my homeland and my people, with the best

    reward you can receive, and answer your deeds with their like:

  34. the virtues of one faithful to his pledge, and content

    with his certainty, and at peace in his justice.

Sol 6.1