Sol 6.1

  1. Egypt has raised you high, and you are the finest guardian,

    With splendid manners and noble character.

  2. And she chose you for a post you would not accept

    Except far removed from caprice and constraint.

  3. Through it we guide each well-mannered citizen,

    Pure of heart, foremost in the race to greatness.

  4. She has known you, in time's war and peace,

    To keep your pledge and covenant with her.

  5. Free your companions from the humiliation of their chains

    And the miseries of shackles and neck-rings.

  6. Make them safe from their fear, and reveal to them

    Egypt's clear and radiant right.

  7. And raise their heads and eyes toward her,

    After long lowering of gazes and bowing of heads.

  8. Perhaps they will find, for what they have squandered,

    Recompense for your people in the hope that remains.

  9. How noble the guests, if they leave the protected domain

    To its guardian, in good faith and accord.

  10. They ask your leave, and are not begrudged

    Wealth by its owner, nor sustenance.

  11. He forbids and commands, with no adviser but those

    Of sound judgment, and no arbiter but the Creator.

  12. Egypt has room for all humanity, if they tend

    With wholesome things the ground where treasures grow.

  13. And the free man prefers to give his very life,

    If they ask him—such is the nature of lovers.

  14. And he rages if they rob him of a threadbare garment,

    Until he is drenched in spilled blood.

Sol 6.1