Sol 6.1

  1. You who hold power, have you brought an undertaking worthy of respect,

    as a safeguard against time for the free country?

  2. And why did they not accept the terms of someone other than you,

    though he had offered peace free of treachery?

  3. And can you fulfill your promise,

    when Egypt's sons have wearied of it from others?

  4. And they once freed the captive, but now

    their release from captivity is held over them as a favor.

  5. The oppressor presses us into service and hurls some of us

    against others, while we give him weapons, unaware.

  6. And one suspect in his public speech and outward conduct

    is fought by one of us using another whose hidden intentions are suspect.

  7. So is the strong living man to be buried in his house,

    when the buried dead man has been raised from the grave?

  8. And does the strong have an excuse for everything he decrees,

    while the weak who seeks protection remains without an excuse?

  9. Does a ministry pass away every week,

    and another succeed it, selling but not being bought?

  10. If this continues, all the people will be made ministers,

    and one who is no leader will become the people's leader.

  11. It seeks a goal other than what you reckon

    as recompense for affliction and reward for patience.

  12. Secure a passage for breath before taking your path

    to freedom for the valley and freedom for the river.

  13. A month lies before you: either withdraw,

    or stand firm, repelling evil with evil.

  14. And indeed, the people's minister is one who shoulders for them

    their burdens, not a seeker of rank and wealth.

  15. And never are fire and steel, against a man,

    more powerful than the dreadful remembrance in poetry.

  16. So will I witness Egypt's independence and be healed

    of my ailment in the little that remains of my life?

Sol 6.1