مَن لي بملءِ المَشرِقَينِ بَيانا

مَن لي بملءِ المَشرِقَينِ بَيانا

وبما وَراءَ النَيِّريْنِ مَكانا

وبما وَراءَ النَيِّريْنِ مَكانا

Who can give me eloquence to fill the two easts,

Who will fill the horizons with eloquence for me,

and a place beyond the two luminaries?

And beyond the two rivers, a place?

رُمْتُ الرّثاءَ فَما ظَفِرتُ بِمنبَرٍ

رُمْتُ الرّثاءَ فَما ظَفِرتُ بِمنبَرٍ

يَسَعُ الرّثاءَ ولا وَجدتُ بَيانا

يَسَعُ الرّثاءَ ولا وَجدتُ بَيانا

I sought lamentation, but found no pulpit

I embarked upon elegy, but did not attain a pulpit

that could contain the lament, nor words to express it.

That can contain elegy, nor did I find eloquence.

ضَاقَ البيانُ وبَرَّحتْ بِي لَوْعةٌ

ضَاقَ البيانُ وبَرَّحتْ بِي لَوْعةٌ

مَلكتْ عليَّ الصّبرَ والسُّلوَانا

مَلكتْ عليَّ الصّبرَ والسُّلوَانا

Eloquence proved too narrow, and anguish tormented me,

Eloquence was constricted, and sorrow overwhelmed me,

wresting patience and solace from me.

Patience and resignation overcame me.

يا طُولَ همِّي مَاتَ مَن كُنّا بهِ

يا طُولَ همِّي مَاتَ مَن كُنّا بهِ

نَنْفِي الهُمومَ ونكشفُ الأحزانا

نَنْفِي الهُمومَ ونكشفُ الأحزانا

O how long my grief! He has died through whom we

O my prolonged anxiety - he who we used to dispel worries with

banished cares and dispelled sorrows.

And remove sorrows, has died.

الصّادعُ الأزماتِ يَتركُ لَيْلُها

الصّادعُ الأزماتِ يَتركُ لَيْلُها

أَهْدَى الهُداةِ مُضَلَّلاً حَيْرانا

أَهْدَى الهُداةِ مُضَلَّلاً حَيْرانا

The breaker of crises whose darkness leaves

His fate trembled in sorrow and shuddered in fear,

the best-guided of guides misled and bewildered;

So he became the best guide, lost and confused.

والرَّادعُ الأحداثَ تَلتهِمُ القُوى

والرَّادعُ الأحداثَ تَلتهِمُ القُوى

وتُغادِرُ البَطَلَ الشُّجاعَ جَبانا

وتُغادِرُ البَطَلَ الشُّجاعَ جَبانا

the restrainer of calamities that devour strength

The resolver of crises, crises consume his strength,

and leave the brave hero a coward.

And leave the brave hero a coward.

ما اسْتصرخَتْهُ بِلادُه في نكبةٍ

ما اسْتصرخَتْهُ بِلادُه في نكبةٍ

إلا رأته الماجِدَ المِعوانا

إلا رأته الماجِدَ المِعوانا

Never did his country cry to him for help in disaster

Whenever his country appealed to him in calamity,

without finding him noble and ever helpful.

It saw him as the glorious helper.

رَجَفَتْ قَضيَّتُها أَسىً وتَفزّعتْ

رَجَفَتْ قَضيَّتُها أَسىً وتَفزّعتْ

ذُعراً فَكانَ لها حِمىً وأمانا

ذُعراً فَكانَ لها حِمىً وأمانا

Its cause trembled with sorrow and shuddered

The judges plotted, so it was said what was their proof

in terror; he became its refuge and security.

Until he came forward, and that sufficed as proof for them.

مَكَر القُضاةُ فَقِيلَ ما بُرهانُها

مَكَر القُضاةُ فَقِيلَ ما بُرهانُها

حتَّى انْبَرى فكفاهُمُ البُرهانا

حتَّى انْبَرى فكفاهُمُ البُرهانا

The judges schemed, and it was asked, 'What is its proof?'

They inclined with the scales of rights as their desires swayed,

until he stepped forward and satisfied them with the proof.

So he established the scales in their hands as justice.

مَالوا بِميزانِ الحُقوقِ مع الهَوَى

مَالوا بِميزانِ الحُقوقِ مع الهَوَى

فَأقامَ في أيديِهمُ المِيزانا

فَأقامَ في أيديِهمُ المِيزانا

They tilted the scales of rights toward their desires;

Money is the easiest thing for one to squander and lose,

he set the balance upright in their hands.

No money has cured the diseases of homelands.

المالُ أَيْسَرُ ما أَضاعَ ولم يَضِعْ

المالُ أَيْسَرُ ما أَضاعَ ولم يَضِعْ

مالٌ شَفَى مِن دَائها الأوطانا

مالٌ شَفَى مِن دَائها الأوطانا

Money was the least of what he sacrificed; never wasted was

Or has not the height of treasures for a person

money that cured homelands of their sickness.

Been seeking wealth, the most priceless of prices?

أوَ لَمْ تكن أَعْلَى الذَّخَائرِ لامْرئٍ

أوَ لَمْ تكن أَعْلَى الذَّخَائرِ لامْرئٍ

يَبغِي الغِنَى وأَجلَّها أَثْمانا

يَبغِي الغِنَى وأَجلَّها أَثْمانا

Were they not the highest treasures for a man

And if his homeland becomes cheap to a man,

seeking wealth, and the most precious in worth?

He will find life disgraced and disdained.

والمرءُ إن هَانتْ عليه بلادُه

والمرءُ إن هَانتْ عليه بلادُه

وَجدَ الحياةَ مَذلَّةً وهَوانا

وَجدَ الحياةَ مَذلَّةً وهَوانا

A man who holds his country cheap

The misguided liar will not protect his entity,

finds life humiliation and disgrace.

One who does not protect his homeland’s entity.

كَذَبَ المُضلَّلُ لن يَصونَ كِيانَهُ

كَذَبَ المُضلَّلُ لن يَصونَ كِيانَهُ

مَن لا يَصونُ مِن البلادِ كِيانا

مَن لا يَصونُ مِن البلادِ كِيانا

The deluded man is wrong: none can preserve his own existence

Your eloquence was from his breaths, O Fawlk,

who does not preserve the existence of a homeland.

When his alluring eloquence provoked your eloquence.

كانت بلاغةُ فولكَ مِن نَفحاتهِ

كانت بلاغةُ فولكَ مِن نَفحاتهِ

لمّا اسْتَثارَ بَيانَهُ الفَتَّانا

لمّا اسْتَثارَ بَيانَهُ الفَتَّانا

Folk's eloquence was one of his fragrant gifts,

The breaths of his kindness aroused you, so you went on

when he stirred his enchanting speech:

Repeating your melodious voice.

نفحاتُ سمحٍ هَيّجتهُ حِسانُها

نفحاتُ سمحٍ هَيّجتهُ حِسانُها

فَمَضى يُردِّدُ صَوتَه الرَّنّانا

فَمَضى يُردِّدُ صَوتَه الرَّنّانا

a generous man's fragrant gifts, whose beauties stirred him,

Days in which he supports the right of Egypt, and seeks

and he went on repeating his resonant voice,

For its defenders the supporters and aides.

أيّام ينصرُ حقَّ مصرَ ويَبتغي

أيّام ينصرُ حقَّ مصرَ ويَبتغي

لِحُماتِها الأنصارَ والأعوانا

لِحُماتِها الأنصارَ والأعوانا

in the days when he championed Egypt's right and sought

When he called on the free ones from its passionate lovers,

supporters and helpers for its defenders.

He did not find them deaf or blind.

لمّا دَعا الأحرارَ من غُرمائِها

لمّا دَعا الأحرارَ من غُرمائِها

لم يُلْفِهمْ صُمَّا ولا عُميانا

لم يُلْفِهمْ صُمَّا ولا عُميانا

When he called upon the free men among its adversaries,

Saad's heroes know Muhammad - which of the men

he did not find them deaf or blind.

Was firmer in adversities.

أبطالُ سعدٍ يعرفون مُحمّداً

أبطالُ سعدٍ يعرفون مُحمّداً

أيَّ الرّجالِ على الشّدائدِ كانا

أيَّ الرّجالِ على الشّدائدِ كانا

Saad's heroes know Muhammad—

He was none but the rock of truth, which

what a man he was in the face of hardships.

Neither iron softened, nor did its affliction gentle.

ما كان إلا صَخرةَ الحقِّ التي

ما كان إلا صَخرةَ الحقِّ التي

لانَ الحديدُ وبَأسُها ما لانا

لانَ الحديدُ وبَأسُها ما لانا

He was nothing but that rock of truth

Egypt did not produce anyone firmer in resoluteness than him

whose might never softened, though iron did.

And more steadfast amidst adversities.

ما أَنْجَبتْ مِصرٌ أشدَّ صرَامةً

ما أَنْجَبتْ مِصرٌ أشدَّ صرَامةً

مِنه وأثبتَ في الخُطُوبِ جَنانَا

مِنه وأثبتَ في الخُطُوبِ جَنانَا

Egypt bore no one more resolute

Whispers wander lost in souls, while his soul

than he, or steadier of heart in calamity.

Was filled with faith in his time and its people.

تهفو الوَساوِسُ بالنُّفوسِ ونفسُه

تهفو الوَساوِسُ بالنُّفوسِ ونفسُه

مِلءُ الزَّمانِ وأهله إيمانا

مِلءُ الزَّمانِ وأهله إيمانا

Misgivings toss souls about, but his soul

Ask it so you may know which sermons it preached,

fills time and its people with faith.

If you seek knowledge and insight.

سَلْها لِتعلمَ أيَّ خَطبٍ خَطبها

سَلْها لِتعلمَ أيَّ خَطبٍ خَطبها

إن كُنتَ تَبغِي العِلمَ والعِرفانا

إن كُنتَ تَبغِي العِلمَ والعِرفانا

Ask it to learn what calamity befell it,

When they exiled him bitterly, its taste was bitter to him,

if you seek knowledge and understanding.

And had he not been forbearing and dignified, he would have shown joy.

لمّا سَقوهُ النَّفْيَ مُرّاً طَعمُهُ

لمّا سَقوهُ النَّفْيَ مُرّاً طَعمُهُ

وَجَدوهُ حَرّانَ الحَشا ظَمآنا

وَجَدوهُ حَرّانَ الحَشا ظَمآنا

When they made him drink exile, bitter in taste,

He did not complain of exile, and with it he did not lack

they found him burning within and thirsty.

Kinsmen or neighbors.

لذَّتْ مَذاقتُه فلولا أَنَّهُ

لذَّتْ مَذاقتُه فلولا أَنَّهُ

جَمُّ الوقارِ طَوَى المَدَى نَشْوَانا

جَمُّ الوقارِ طَوَى المَدَى نَشْوَانا

Its taste was sweet to him; had he not been

He gathered the protectors in his house, so they became cordial

so dignified, he would have crossed the distance in rapture.

After discord, and became brethren.

لم يُنكرِ المَنْفَى ولم يَعْدَم بهِ

لم يُنكرِ المَنْفَى ولم يَعْدَم بهِ

مِن عزمهِ أهلاً ولا جِيرانا

مِن عزمهِ أهلاً ولا جِيرانا

He did not reject exile, nor did he lack there

They pledged allegiances through it to Egypt by a hand

kin or neighbors, thanks to his resolve.

That heals breasts and removes resentments.

جَمَعَ الحُماةَ بدارهِ فَتألَّفُوا

جَمَعَ الحُماةَ بدارهِ فَتألَّفُوا

بعد الشِّقاقِ وأصبحوا إخوانا

بعد الشِّقاقِ وأصبحوا إخوانا

He gathered the defenders in his house, and they united

Their matter would not be more wondrous if they extinguished

after discord, and became brothers.

The light of peace and ignited fires.

عَقدوا العُهودَ بها لِمصرَ على يَدٍ

عَقدوا العُهودَ بها لِمصرَ على يَدٍ

تَشفِي الصُّدورَ وتَنزعُ الأَضْغَانا

تَشفِي الصُّدورَ وتَنزعُ الأَضْغَانا

There they made pledges to Egypt through a hand

They grieve for the wounded homeland, yet they have become

that healed hearts and rooted out rancor.

War against the wounded homeland, helpers of injustice.

ما كان أعجبَ أمرَهم إذا أَطفَأُوا

ما كان أعجبَ أمرَهم إذا أَطفَأُوا

نُورَ السلامِ وأَوْقَدوا النِّيرانا

نُورَ السلامِ وأَوْقَدوا النِّيرانا

How strange their conduct was when they extinguished

They descended upon the honored Saad's square,

the light of peace and kindled fires,

He did not treat them with kindness or benevolence.

يَرْثُونَ لِلوطنِ الجريحِ وقد غَدَوْا

يَرْثُونَ لِلوطنِ الجريحِ وقد غَدَوْا

حَرباً على الوطنِ الجريحِ عَوانا

حَرباً على الوطنِ الجريحِ عَوانا

mourning the wounded homeland, though they had become

And they left safely, their elder saying:

a war repeatedly renewed against the wounded homeland.

"May your Lord greet you", from a caring father.

نَزَلُوا بِسَاحَةِ ماجدٍ مُتكَرِّمٍ

نَزَلُوا بِسَاحَةِ ماجدٍ مُتكَرِّمٍ

لم يَألُهمْ بِرّاً ولا إحْسَانا

لم يَألُهمْ بِرّاً ولا إحْسَانا

They came to the courtyard of a noble, generous man

Indeed, he who builds the ranks for his people

who withheld no kindness or benevolence from them.

Is nobler than he who erected the highest buildings.

ومَضوا بِعافِيةٍ يَقولُ كبيرُهم

ومَضوا بِعافِيةٍ يَقولُ كبيرُهم

حَيَّاكَ رَبُّك مِن أبٍ يرعانا

حَيَّاكَ رَبُّك مِن أبٍ يرعانا

And they departed in well-being, their elder saying,

He ruled the country, walking the path of a just one,

'May your Lord bless you, a father who watches over us!'

Refusing harm and shunning aggression.

إنّ الذي يبني الصُّفوفَ لِقومهِ

إنّ الذي يبني الصُّفوفَ لِقومهِ

لأَجَلُّ مَن رَفعَ الذُّرَى بُنيانا

لأَجَلُّ مَن رَفعَ الذُّرَى بُنيانا

He who builds up the ranks of his people

And he established the balance of matters wisely,

is surely the noblest of those who raise lofty structures.

Giving the weak against the strong a guarantee.

حكمَ البِلادَ فَسارَ سيِرةَ عادلٍ

حكمَ البِلادَ فَسارَ سيِرةَ عادلٍ

يَأبَى الأذَى ويُجانِبُ العُدوانا

يَأبَى الأذَى ويُجانِبُ العُدوانا

He governed the country, following the way of a just man,

He spread civilization in the cities and villages,

refusing harm and keeping clear of aggression.

And brought prosperity to all its corners.

ويُقيمُ مِيزانَ الأمورِ بِحكمةٍ

ويُقيمُ مِيزانَ الأمورِ بِحكمةٍ

تُعطِي الضعيفَ من القويِّ ضَمانا

تُعطِي الضعيفَ من القويِّ ضَمانا

He set the scales of affairs upright with wisdom

And he prepared strong life for the sick,

that guaranteed the weak protection from the strong.

To build souls and support bodies.

بَثَّ الحَضارةَ في المدائِنِ والقُرَى

بَثَّ الحَضارةَ في المدائِنِ والقُرَى

وأجالَ في أرجائِها العُمرانا

وأجالَ في أرجائِها العُمرانا

He spread civilization through towns and villages

The ruler knows him as noble and formidable -

and extended development throughout their regions.

Neither status nor authority made him arrogant.

وأعدَّ لِلمَرْضَى الحياةَ قَويَّةً

وأعدَّ لِلمَرْضَى الحياةَ قَويَّةً

تَبنِي النُّفوسَ وتَدْعَمُ الأبدانا

تَبنِي النُّفوسَ وتَدْعَمُ الأبدانا

He prepared for the sick a vigorous life

His virtues inherited the virtues of his house,

that built up souls and strengthened bodies.

So with which virtue did he want to adorn himself?

الحكمُ يَعرِفُه نَبيلاً كَابِراً

الحكمُ يَعرِفُه نَبيلاً كَابِراً

ما زَادَهُ جَاهاً ولاسُلطانا

ما زَادَهُ جَاهاً ولاسُلطانا

Government knows him as noble and eminent;

A house which Islam built the wall of its glory,

it added neither prestige nor power to him.

And protected its sides and pillars.

وَرِثَتْ مَناقِبُه مَناقبَ بَيْتهِ

وَرِثَتْ مَناقِبُه مَناقبَ بَيْتهِ

فَبِأيِّ مَنْقَبةٍ أرادَ ازْدَانا

فَبِأيِّ مَنْقَبةٍ أرادَ ازْدَانا

His virtues inherited the virtues of his house;

Time passed but it still remains as it was,

he adorned himself with whichever virtue he desired.

Refusing decline and denying change.

بَيتٌ بَنَى الإسلامُ حَائطَ مَجدِه

بَيتٌ بَنَى الإسلامُ حَائطَ مَجدِه

وَحمىَ الجوانبَ منه والأركانا

وَحمىَ الجوانبَ منه والأركانا

A house whose wall of glory Islam built,

You, O Muhammad, have a rank in glories,

and whose sides and pillars it protected.

Which has overtaken me in description and eloquence.

دَارَ الزمانُ وما يزالُ كعهدهِ

دَارَ الزمانُ وما يزالُ كعهدهِ

يَأْبَى الصَّغارَ ويُنكِرُ الدَّوَرانا

يَأْبَى الصَّغارَ ويُنكِرُ الدَّوَرانا

Time turned, yet it remains as it ever was,

You refuted Henderson with the opinion that

rejecting abasement and refusing to turn with the times.

Exhausts the cunning and defeats the brave.

لَكَ يا مُحمّدُ في المَفاخرِ رُتبةٌ

لَكَ يا مُحمّدُ في المَفاخرِ رُتبةٌ

مَلكتْ عليَّ الوَصفَ والتِّبيانا

مَلكتْ عليَّ الوَصفَ والتِّبيانا

Muhammad, you have a rank among glories

Politics gave through your hand what its pillars refused

that has defeated my powers of description and explanation.

To give to peers.

جَالدتَ هندرسونَ بالرّأيِ الذي

جَالدتَ هندرسونَ بالرّأيِ الذي

يُعيِي الدُّهاةَ ويَغلبُ الشُّجْعَانا

يُعيِي الدُّهاةَ ويَغلبُ الشُّجْعَانا

You battled Henderson with reasoning

You pleased your people with noble deeds,

that exhausted the shrewd and overcame the brave.

Hoping for God's approval through them.

أَعْطَتْ على يَدِكَ السِّياسةُ ما أَبَتْ

أَعْطَتْ على يَدِكَ السِّياسةُ ما أَبَتْ

أقطابُها أن تُعطِيَ الأقرانا

أقطابُها أن تُعطِيَ الأقرانا

Through your hand, politics gave what

And you were angry for the peasant with the anger of one dignified,

its leading figures refused to give your peers.

The Nile is too proud to see it humiliated.

أَرْضَيْتَ قَومَكَ بالفعالِ كريمةً

أَرْضَيْتَ قَومَكَ بالفعالِ كريمةً

تَرجو بها مِن رَبّكَ الرّضوانا

تَرجو بها مِن رَبّكَ الرّضوانا

You pleased your people with noble deeds,

God inspired him with guidance and made him

seeking through them your Lord's favor.

A symbol of the Nile's glory, or a sign.

وغَضِبتَ للفلّاحِ غَضْبَةَ مُكرِمٍ

وغَضِبتَ للفلّاحِ غَضْبَةَ مُكرِمٍ

لِلنّيلِ يَأنَفُ أن يَراهُ مُهانا

لِلنّيلِ يَأنَفُ أن يَراهُ مُهانا

And you grew angry for the peasant, with the anger of one who honors

O honorer of lofty literature, you saddened it,

the Nile and disdains to see him humiliated.

And left it in my heart grieved.

اللهُ أَلهَمَهُ الهُدَى وأقَامَهُ

اللهُ أَلهَمَهُ الهُدَى وأقَامَهُ

رَمزاً لمجدِ النّيلِ أو عُنوانا

رَمزاً لمجدِ النّيلِ أو عُنوانا

God inspired him with guidance and established him

You bestowed abundant kindness upon me, and I did not find

as a symbol of the Nile's glory, or its emblem.

Kindness like it before, nor affection.

يا مُكرِمَ الأدبِ الرّفيعِ فَجعتَهُ

يا مُكرِمَ الأدبِ الرّفيعِ فَجعتَهُ

وتَركتَهُ في خَاطِري أشجانا

وتَركتَهُ في خَاطِري أشجانا

O patron of lofty literature, you have bereaved it

You are not one who withholds, nor am I one who

and left it as sorrows in my thoughts.

Accepts ingratitude and prefers forgetfulness.

أَوليْتَني البرَّ الجزيلَ فلم أَجِدْ

أَوليْتَني البرَّ الجزيلَ فلم أَجِدْ

مِن قبلُ بِرّاً مِثلهُ وحَنانا

مِن قبلُ بِرّاً مِثلهُ وحَنانا

You bestowed abundant kindness upon me; I had never found

I remember it sometimes, kindness,

such kindness and tenderness before.

And manners that bring beauty to the generous.

ما أنتَ بالجافي ولا أنا بالذي

ما أنتَ بالجافي ولا أنا بالذي

يَرْضَى الجُحودَ ويُؤثِرُ النِّسْيانا

يَرْضَى الجُحودَ ويُؤثِرُ النِّسْيانا

You are not unkind, nor am I one

O company of the free, patience - for it

who accepts ingratitude and chooses forgetfulness.

Is destined, and the affliction of a people has come.

إنّي لأَذكُرها خِلالاً سَمْحةً

إنّي لأَذكُرها خِلالاً سَمْحةً

وخَلائقاً تُصبِي الكريمَ حِسانا

وخَلائقاً تُصبِي الكريمَ حِسانا

I surely remember them as gracious traits

You are the aides of your country if its events

and beautiful qualities that captivate the noble.

Intend aggression.

يا معشرَ الأحرارِ صَبراً إنّه

يا معشرَ الأحرارِ صَبراً إنّه

قَدَرٌ جَرَى ومُصابُ شَعْبٍ حَانا

قَدَرٌ جَرَى ومُصابُ شَعْبٍ حَانا

O company of free men, be patient: it is

Return the decision to Egypt, and take hold

a decree fulfilled, and a people's affliction whose hour has come.

Of perseverance’s hand, restraining its panic.

أنتم على الأيّامِ عَوْنُ بلادِكم

أنتم على الأيّامِ عَوْنُ بلادِكم

إن أَزمعتْ أحداثُها طُغْيانا

إن أَزمعتْ أحداثُها طُغْيانا

You are your country's helpers against time,

Excellent is your elder as caliph in politics,

if its calamities are bent on tyranny.

If its ambiguities confuse minds.

رُدُّوا على مِصرَ القَرارَ وأَمْسِكُوا

رُدُّوا على مِصرَ القَرارَ وأَمْسِكُوا

بِيَدِ التَّجلُّدِ دَمْعَها الهتَّانا

بِيَدِ التَّجلُّدِ دَمْعَها الهتَّانا

Restore tranquility to Egypt, and restrain

He is the one who taught us in this matter his status,

her streaming tears with the hand of fortitude.

Blessings upon a sheikh, and bless his status.

نِعمَ الخليفةُ في السّياسةِ شَيْخُكُم

نِعمَ الخليفةُ في السّياسةِ شَيْخُكُم

إن ضَلَّلتْ شُبهاتُها الأَذْهانا

إن ضَلَّلتْ شُبهاتُها الأَذْهانا

A worthy successor in politics is your elder,

if its ambiguities lead minds astray.

هُوَ مَنْ عَلِمنا في القضيّةِ شَأنَهُ

هُوَ مَنْ عَلِمنا في القضيّةِ شَأنَهُ

بُوركتَ من شيخٍ وبُوركَ شانا

بُوركتَ من شيخٍ وبُوركَ شانا

He is the one whose standing in the cause we have known:

blessed are you as an elder, and blessed be your standing!