هَمَّتِventured forth الفُلكُthe vessel وَاِحتَواهاand embraced her الماءُthe water
هَمَّتِ الفُلكُ وَاِحتَواها الماءُ
وَحَداهاand urged her onward بِمَنwith those whom تُقِلُّshe carries الرَجاءُhope
وَحَداها بِمَن تُقِلُّ الرَجاءُ
The vessel ventured forth, and the water embraced her.
The fleet set sail, engulfed by the waters,
And hope urged her onward with those she bore.
Confined by him who inspires hope.
ضَرَبَraised البَحرُthe sea ذوpossessing العُبابِsurging waves حَوالَيهاaround her
ضَرَبَ البَحرُ ذو العُبابِ حَوالَيها
سَماءًa sky قَدindeed أَكبَرَتهاheld it in awe السَماءُthe sky
سَماءً قَد أَكبَرَتها السَماءُ
The surging sea raised around her
The turbulent ocean embraced it,
a sky that the sky itself held in awe.
Its vastness made spacious by the sky.
وَرَأىand saw المارِقونَthose escaping مِنfrom شَرَكِthe snare of الأَرضِthe land
وَرَأى المارِقونَ مِن شَرَكِ الأَرضِ
شِباكاًnets تَمُدُّهاthe dark sea spreads them الدَأماءُthe dark sea
شِباكاً تَمُدُّها الدَأماءُ
And those escaping the snare of land saw
Those who escaped land saw a net,
nets spread by the dark sea.
Cast by Fate the Plotter.
وَجِبالاًand mountains مَوائِجاًsurging فيamid جِبالٍmountains
وَجِبالاً مَوائِجاً في جِبالٍ
تَتَدَجّىgrow dark كَأَنَّهاas though they الظَلماءُthe darkness
تَتَدَجّى كَأَنَّها الظَلماءُ
And mountains surging amid mountains,
Mountains, surging amongst mountains,
growing dark as though they were the darkness itself.
Swaying as shadows do.
وَدَوِيّاًand a roar كَماas when تَأَهَّبَتِprepared الخَيلُthe horses
وَدَوِيّاً كَما تَأَهَّبَتِ الخَيلُ
وَهاجَتand stirred حُماتَهاtheir champions الهَيجاءُbattle
وَهاجَت حُماتَها الهَيجاءُ
And a roar like horses preparing
A din, as horses prepared for battle
when battle stirs their champions.
And passions were provoked to rage.
لُجَّةٌa deep surge عِندَbeside لُجَّةٍa deep surge عِندَbeside أُخرىanother
لُجَّةٌ عِندَ لُجَّةٍ عِندَ أُخرى
كَهِضابٍlike hills ماجَتsurged بِهاwith them البَيداءُthe desert
كَهِضابٍ ماجَت بِها البَيداءُ
A billow beside a billow beside another,
Surge upon surge upon surge,
like hills with which the desert surged.
As the desert sways with dunes.
وَسَفينٌand ships طَوراًsometimes تَلوحُappear وَحيناًand sometimes
وَسَفينٌ طَوراً تَلوحُ وَحيناً
يَتَوَلّىtakes possession of أَشباحَهُنَّtheir shapes الخَفاءُconcealment
يَتَوَلّى أَشباحَهُنَّ الخَفاءُ
And ships sometimes appear, and sometimes
Ship glimpsing now and then,
concealment takes possession of their shapes.
Its ghosts concealed by the obscure.
نازِلاتٌdescending فيin سَيرِهاtheir travel صاعِداتٌascending
نازِلاتٌ في سَيرِها صاعِداتٌ
كَالهَواديlike camel necks يَهُزُّهُنَّsways them الحُداءُthe driver's chant
كَالهَوادي يَهُزُّهُنَّ الحُداءُ
Descending as they travel, ascending,
Rising and falling on its course,
like camel necks swayed by the driver's chant.
As valleys are shaken by storms.
رَبِّmy Lord إِنif شِئتَYou will فَالفَضاءُthen open space مَضيقٌa strait
رَبِّ إِن شِئتَ فَالفَضاءُ مَضيقٌ
وَإِذاand if شِئتَYou will فَالمَضيقُthen the strait فَضاءُopen space
وَإِذا شِئتَ فَالمَضيقُ فَضاءُ
Lord, if You will, open space is a strait;
My Lord, if You will, the sky is confined,
and if You will, the strait is open space.
And if you will, the confined is sky.
فَاِجعَلِso make البَحرَthe sea عِصمَةًa refuge وَاِبعَثِand send forth الرَحمَةَmercy
فَاِجعَلِ البَحرَ عِصمَةً وَاِبعَثِ الرَحمَةَ
فيهاwithin it الرِياحُthe winds وَالأَنواءُand the storms
فيها الرِياحُ وَالأَنواءُ
So make the sea a refuge, and send forth mercy
So make the sea a refuge, send mercy through it,
within it, through the winds and storms.
Make the winds and clouds kind.
أَنتَYou أُنسٌcomfort لَناfor us إِذاwhen بَعُدَis distant الإِنسُhumankind
أَنتَ أُنسٌ لَنا إِذا بَعُدَ الإِنسُ
وَأَنتَand You الحَياةُlife وَالإِحياءُand giving life
وَأَنتَ الحَياةُ وَالإِحياءُ
You are our comfort when humankind is distant;
You are friend when humans are far,
and You are life and the giving of life.
You are life and revival.
يَتَوَلّىattends البِحارَthe seas مَهماhowever اِدلَهَمَّتthey grow dark
يَتَوَلّى البِحارَ مَهما اِدلَهَمَّت
مِنكَfrom You فيon كُلِّevery جانِبٍside لَألاءُradiance
مِنكَ في كُلِّ جانِبٍ لَألاءُ
However dark the seas become, they are attended
It tosses and turns but Your streams
on every side by radiance from You.
Surround it, luminescent on all sides.
وَإِذاand when ماan emphatic particle عَلَتthey rise فَذاكَthen that قِيامٌstanding in prayer
وَإِذا ما عَلَت فَذاكَ قِيامٌ
وَإِذاand when ماan emphatic particle رَغَتthey foam فَذاكَthen that دُعاءُsupplication
وَإِذا ما رَغَت فَذاكَ دُعاءُ
And when they rise, that is their standing in prayer;
When it rises that is Your decree,
and when they foam, that is supplication.
When it rages that is Your plea.
فَإِذاthen when راعَهاawes them جَلالُكَYour majesty خَرَّتthey fall prostrate
فَإِذا راعَها جَلالُكَ خَرَّت
هَيبَةًin reverence فَهيَthen they وَالبِساطُand the carpet سَواءُare equal
هَيبَةً فَهيَ وَالبِساطُ سَواءُ
When Your majesty awes them, they fall
When Your majesty overcomes it, it bows down
in reverence, level as a spread carpet.
In awe, becoming like earth.
وَالعَريضُand the breadth الطَويلُthe length مِنهاof them كِتابٌa book
وَالعَريضُ الطَويلُ مِنها كِتابٌ
لَكَfor You فيهِwithin it تَحِيَّةٌa greeting وَثَناءُand praise
لَكَ فيهِ تَحِيَّةٌ وَثَناءُ
And their breadth and length are a book
The broad and tall-- a missive to You--
containing greetings and praise for You.
Bearing greetings and praise.
يازَمانَO age of البِحارِthe seas لَولاكَbut for you لَمnot تُفجَعbe bereft
يازَمانَ البِحارِ لَولاكَ لَم تُفجَع
بِنُعمىof the blessings of زَمانِهاher age الوَجناءُthe stout she-camel
بِنُعمى زَمانِها الوَجناءُ
O age of seas, but for you the stout she-camel
O eras of the seas without you
would not have lost the blessings of her age.
The sorrowful eras would not delight.
فَقَديماًfor long ago عَنfor وَخدِهاher swift stride ضاقَgrew narrow وَجهُthe face of الأَرضِthe earth
فَقَديماً عَن وَخدِها ضاقَ وَجهُ الأَرضِ
وَاِنقادَand submitted بِالشِراعِto the sail الماءُthe water
وَاِنقادَ بِالشِراعِ الماءُ
Long ago, earth's face grew narrow for her swift stride,
Long ago, without you the earth was despondent,
and the water submitted to the sail.
And the waters were forced by sail.
وَاِنتَهَتand passed إِمرَةُcommand of البِحارِthe seas إِلىto الشَرقِthe East
وَاِنتَهَت إِمرَةُ البِحارِ إِلى الشَرقِ
وَقامَand stood الوُجودُexistence فيماin whatever يَشاءُit wills
وَقامَ الوُجودُ فيما يَشاءُ
Command of the seas passed to the East,
The empire of the seas reached the East
and existence stood at its command.
And existence became as it willed.
وَبَنَيناand we built فَلَمand did not نُخَلِّleave room لِبانٍfor a builder
وَبَنَينا فَلَم نُخَلِّ لِبانٍ
وَعَلَوناand we rose فَلَمand did not يَجُزناsurpass us عَلاءُany height
وَعَلَونا فَلَم يَجُزنا عَلاءُ
And we built, leaving nothing for another builder;
We built--no structure humbled us,
and we rose, surpassed by no height.
We climbed--no height surpassed us.
وَمَلَكناand we ruled فَالمالِكونَso the rulers عَبيدٌslaves
وَمَلَكنا فَالمالِكونَ عَبيدٌ
وَالبَراياand mankind بِأَسرِهِمall of them أُسَراءُcaptives
وَالبَرايا بِأَسرِهِم أُسَراءُ
And we ruled: other rulers were slaves,
We ruled--yet kings were slaves,
and all mankind were captives.
And all commoners--captives.
قُلsay لِبانٍto a builder بَنىwho built فَشادَthen raised high فَغالىthen exceeded bounds
قُل لِبانٍ بَنى فَشادَ فَغالى
لَمnot يَجُزsurpassed مِصرَEgypt فيthrough الزَمانِtime بِناءُany building
لَم يَجُز مِصرَ في الزَمانِ بِناءُ
Tell a builder who built, raised high, and outdid himself:
Tell the Pyramids, you built and towered
no building through time has surpassed Egypt.
But never surpassed Egypt's structures.
لَيسَnot فيamong المُمكِناتِpossible things أَنthat تُنقَلَbe moved الأَجبالُthe mountains
لَيسَ في المُمكِناتِ أَن تُنقَلَ الأَجبالُ
شُمّاًlofty وَأَنand that تُنالَbe reached السَماءُthe sky
شُمّاً وَأَن تُنالَ السَماءُ
It is not among possible things to move mountains
The impossible cannot be--
in all their height, or to reach the sky.
That mountains are moved on a whim,
أَجفَلَrecoiled الجِنُّthe jinn عَنfrom عَزائِمَthe resolves of فِرعَونَPharaoh
أَجفَلَ الجِنُّ عَن عَزائِمَ فِرعَونَ
وَدانَتand submitted لِبَأسِهاto their might الآناءُthe hours
وَدانَت لِبَأسِها الآناءُ
The jinn recoiled before Pharaoh's resolves,
And the heavens reached out to.
and the hours bowed to their might.
The Jinn fell short of Pharaoh's resolve
شادَbuilt ماwhat لَمnot يُشِدbuilt زَمانٌany time وَلاnor أَنcreated (beginning)
شادَ ما لَم يُشِد زَمانٌ وَلا أَن
شَأَcreated (completion) عَصرٌany age وَلاnor بَنىbuilt بَنّاءُany builder
شَأَ عَصرٌ وَلا بَنى بَنّاءُ
He built what no time had built, nor created
And were tamed by his might.
by any age, nor built by any builder.
He built what no era built, nor did
هَيكَلٌa temple تُنثَرُare scattered الدِياناتُreligions فيهِwithin it
هَيكَلٌ تُنثَرُ الدِياناتُ فيهِ
فَهيَso they وَالناسُand people وَالقُرونُand centuries هَباءُdust
فَهيَ وَالناسُ وَالقُرونُ هَباءُ
A temple in which religions are scattered:
Any age construct, nor builder erect.
they, people, and centuries are dust.
A temple where creeds disappear,
وَقُبورٌand tombs تَحُطُّdescend فيهاinto them اللَياليthe nights
وَقُبورٌ تَحُطُّ فيها اللَيالي
وَيُوارىand is buried الإِصباحُdawn وَالإِمساءُand dusk
وَيُوارى الإِصباحُ وَالإِمساءُ
And tombs into which nights descend,
They and people and ages are naught but mist.
where dawn and dusk are laid to rest.
Tombs where nights are buried
تَشفَقُstands in dread الشَمسُthe sun وَالكَواكِبُand the stars مِنهاof them
تَشفَقُ الشَمسُ وَالكَواكِبُ مِنها
وَالجَديدانِand day and night وَالبِلىand decay وَالفَناءُand extinction
وَالجَديدانِ وَالبِلى وَالفَناءُ
The sun and stars stand in dread of them,
And dawn and evening concealed.
as do day and night, decay and extinction.
The sun and planets shy from them
زَعَمواthey claimed أَنَّهاthat they دَعائِمُpillars شيدَتwere erected
زَعَموا أَنَّها دَعائِمُ شيدَت
بِيَدِby the hand of البَغيِoppression مِلؤُهاtheir contents ظَلماءُdarkness
بِيَدِ البَغيِ مِلؤُها ظَلماءُ
They claimed these were pillars erected
As do iron, wear and evanescence.
by oppression's hand, filled with darkness.
They claimed they were pillars built
فَاِعذُرِso excuse الحاسِدينَthe envious فيهاconcerning them إِذاwhen لاthey blamed (beginning)
فَاِعذُرِ الحاسِدينَ فيها إِذا لا
مواthey blamed (completion) فَصَعبٌfor difficult عَلىfor الحَسودِthe envious person الثَناءُpraise
موا فَصَعبٌ عَلى الحَسودِ الثَناءُ
So excuse those who envy them when they
By the tyranny of darkness incarnate.
find fault: praise is hard for the envious.
So absolve the envious among them--
دُمِّرَwere destroyed الناسُpeople وَالرَعِيَّةُand the subjects فيin
دُمِّرَ الناسُ وَالرَعِيَّةُ في
تَشييدِهاtheir construction وَالخَلائِقُand the multitudes الأُسَراءُthe captives
تَشييدِها وَالخَلائِقُ الأُسَراءُ
People and subjects were destroyed in
Flattery of the envious is arduous indeed.
their building, along with enslaved multitudes.
The people and the commoners were destroyed
أَينَwhere كانَwas القَضاءُjudgment وَالعَدلُand justice وَالحِكمَةُand wisdom
أَينَ كانَ القَضاءُ وَالعَدلُ وَالحِكمَةُ
وَالرَأيُand counsel وَالنُهىand reason وَالذَكاءُand intelligence
وَالرَأيُ وَالنُهى وَالذَكاءُ
Where were judgment, justice, and wisdom,
In its construction, and the captives.
and counsel, reason, and intelligence?
Where was destiny, justice, wisdom?
وَبَنوand the sons of الشَمسِthe sun مِنamong أَعِزَّةِthe mighty of مِصرٍEgypt
وَبَنو الشَمسِ مِن أَعِزَّةِ مِصرٍ
وَالعُلومُand the sciences الَّتيwhich بِهاthrough them يُستَضاءُlight is sought
وَالعُلومُ الَّتي بِها يُستَضاءُ
And the sons of the sun, among Egypt's mighty,
Where intellect, advice and wit?
and the sciences by which light is sought?
The enlightened sons of Egypt's sun,
فَاِدَّعَواso they asserted ماwhat اِدَّعىasserted أَصاغِرُthe lesser men of آثيناAthens
فَاِدَّعَوا ما اِدَّعى أَصاغِرُ آثينا
وَدَعواهُمُand their assertion خَناًfoulness وَاِفتِراءُand fabrication
وَدَعواهُمُ خَناً وَاِفتِراءُ
They asserted what Athens' lesser men asserted;
And the sciences that give light?
their assertion is foulness and fabrication.
They claimed the empty claims of our mean Athens,
وَرَأَواand they deemed لِلَّذينَfor those who سادواruled وَشادواand built
وَرَأَوا لِلَّذينَ سادوا وَشادوا
سُبَّةًa disgrace أَنthat تُسَخَّرَbe put to service الأَعداءُthe enemies
سُبَّةً أَن تُسَخَّرَ الأَعداءُ
They deemed it a disgrace for those who ruled and built
Their allegations--pure slander and lies.
that enemies should be put to service.
They viewed as glory for those who ruled and built
إِنif يَكُنis غَيرَother than ماwhat أَتَوهُthey accomplished فَخارٌglory
إِن يَكُن غَيرَ ما أَتَوهُ فَخارٌ
فَأَناthen I مِنكَof you ياO فَخارُglory بَراءُam free
فَأَنا مِنكَ يا فَخارُ بَراءُ
If glory is something other than what they accomplished,
To enslave the enemy--what glory!
then I disown you, O glory.
If it is other than what I claim, I disown
لَيتَwould that شِعريI knew وَالدَهرُand Time حَربُan enemy to بَنيهِits sons
لَيتَ شِعري وَالدَهرُ حَربُ بَنيهِ
وَأَياديهِand its favors عِندَهُمto them أَفياءُpassing shadows
وَأَياديهِ عِندَهُم أَفياءُ
Would that I knew—Time wages war on its sons,
Such empty pride, for it is vain.
and its favors to them are passing shadows—
Would that the days had not ruined you, would that
ماwhat الَّذيthat which داخَلَentered اللَيالِيَthe nights مِنّاfrom us
ما الَّذي داخَلَ اللَيالِيَ مِنّا
فيin صِباناour youth وَلِلَّياليand the nights have دَهاءُcunning
في صِبانا وَلِلَّيالي دَهاءُ
what from us entered into the nights
For your kingdom's reign hope had not ended.
in our youth; the nights are cunning.
Thus is the way of time--a state then its opposite,
فَعَلاthen rose الدَهرُTime فَوقَabove عَلياءِthe lofty station of فِرعَونَPharaoh
فَعَلا الدَهرُ فَوقَ عَلياءِ فِرعَونَ
وَهَمَّتand assailed بِمُلكِهِhis kingdom الأَرزاءُcalamities
وَهَمَّت بِمُلكِهِ الأَرزاءُ
Time rose above Pharaoh's lofty station,
No state with time endures.
and calamities assailed his kingdom.
May the chronicles forget you, O Cambyses' era,
أَعلَنَتrevealed أَمرَهاtheir purpose الذِئابُthe wolves وَكانواand they had
أَعلَنَت أَمرَها الذِئابُ وَكانوا
فيin ثِيابِthe clothing of الرُعاةِshepherds مِنfrom قَبلُbefore جاؤواcome
في ثِيابِ الرُعاةِ مِن قَبلُ جاؤوا
The wolves revealed their purpose, though they
May no news or tales carry your memory.
had earlier come in shepherds' clothing.
The wheel turned against you, and an arduous hand
وَأَتىand came كُلُّevery شامِتٍgloating enemy مِنamong عِداthe enemies of المُلكِthe kingdom
وَأَتى كُلُّ شامِتٍ مِن عِدا المُلكِ
إِلَيهِمto them وَاِنضَمَّتِand joined together الأَجزاءُthe factions
إِلَيهِم وَاِنضَمَّتِ الأَجزاءُ
Every gloating enemy of the kingdom came
Afflicted this nation on that day.
to them, and the factions joined together.
One who insightfully reflects upon what you yielded Egypt
وَمَضىand departed المالِكونَthe rulers إِلّاexcept بَقاياremnants
وَمَضى المالِكونَ إِلّا بَقايا
لَهُمُfor them فيin ثَرىthe soil of الصَعيدِUpper Egypt اِلتِجاءُrefuge
لَهُمُ في ثَرى الصَعيدِ اِلتِجاءُ
The rulers departed, except for remnants
Sees the cure lies nowhere but removal.
who found refuge in Upper Egypt's soil.
Permanent misery and lasting woe,
فَعَلىso upon دَولَةِthe dynasty of البُناةِthe builders سَلامٌpeace
فَعَلى دَولَةِ البُناةِ سَلامٌ
وَعَلىand upon ماwhat بَنىbuilt البُناةُthe builders العَفاءُoblivion
وَعَلى ما بَنى البُناةُ العَفاءُ
So farewell to the builders' dynasty,
Agony whose agony intensifies.
and oblivion upon what the builders built.
You brought the people and the subjects grief
وَإِذاand suddenly مِصرُEgypt شاةُa ewe of خَيرٍgoodness لِراعيfor the shepherd of السَوءِevil
وَإِذا مِصرُ شاةُ خَيرٍ لِراعي السَوءِ
تُؤذىis harmed فيthrough نَسلِهاher offspring وَتُساءُand is mistreated
تُؤذى في نَسلِها وَتُساءُ
And suddenly Egypt was a good ewe under an evil shepherd,
In which people and dwellings suffered equally.
harmed through her offspring and mistreated.
The mighty made slaves, obedient,
قَدindeed أَذَلَّhe humbled الرِجالَthe men فَهيَso they عَبيدٌslaves
قَد أَذَلَّ الرِجالَ فَهيَ عَبيدٌ
وَنُفوسَand the souls of الرِجالِthe men فَهيَso they إِماءُbondmaids
وَنُفوسَ الرِجالِ فَهيَ إِماءُ
He had humbled the men, making them slaves,
And souls of the mighty made slave girls.
and the men's souls, making them bondmaids.
For if you own souls, seek their pleasure,
فَإِذاthen whenever شاءَhe wishes فَالرِقابُthen the necks فِداهُhis ransom
فَإِذا شاءَ فَالرِقابُ فِداهُ
وَيَسيرٌand cheap إِذاif أَرادَhe desires الدِماءُblood
وَيَسيرٌ إِذا أَرادَ الدِماءُ
Whenever he wishes, their necks are his ransom;
For in them lies tumult and resolution.
and blood is cheap whenever he desires it.
Beasts are tamed if captured,
وَلِقَومٍand for some people نَوالُهُhis gifts وَرِضاهُand his favor
وَلِقَومٍ نَوالُهُ وَرِضاهُ
وَلِأَقوامِand for other peoples القِلىhatred وَالجَفاءُand estrangement
وَلِأَقوامِ القِلى وَالجَفاءُ
For some are his gifts and favor;
How then humans, rational beings?
for others, hatred and estrangement.
The unjust deem they will dominate,
فَفَريقٌso one group مُمَتَّعونَenjoying pleasures بِمِصرٍin Egypt
فَفَريقٌ مُمَتَّعونَ بِمِصرٍ
وَفَريقٍand another group فيin أَرضِهِمtheir land غُرَباءُstrangers
وَفَريقٍ في أَرضِهِم غُرَباءُ
One group enjoys Egypt's pleasures,
And the weak remain unsupported.
while another is foreign in its own land.
Yet nights have sentiments like those who harbored them.
إِنif مَلَكتَyou possess النُفوسَsouls فَاِبغِthen seek رِضاهاtheir consent
إِن مَلَكتَ النُفوسَ فَاِبغِ رِضاها
فَلَهاfor they have ثَورَةٌa revolt وَفيهاand within them مَضاءُresolve
فَلَها ثَورَةٌ وَفيها مَضاءُ
If you possess people's souls, seek their consent:
And for times there are like desires.
they have a revolt, and in them is resolve.
Egypt dwelled in darkness until told:
يَسكُنُlies still الوَحشُthe wild beast لِلوُثوبِto spring مِنَfrom الأَسرِcaptivity
يَسكُنُ الوَحشُ لِلوُثوبِ مِنَ الأَسرِ
فَكَيفَthen how about الخَلائِقُhuman beings العُقَلاءُthe rational
فَكَيفَ الخَلائِقُ العُقَلاءُ
The wild beast lies still to spring from captivity;
The sun has died and all light vanished.
what, then, of reasoning human beings?
That was not a blindness--for no eye
يَحسَبُthink الظالِمونَthe oppressors أَنthat سَيَسودونَthey will rule
يَحسَبُ الظالِمونَ أَن سَيَسودونَ
وَأَنand that لَنnever يُؤَيَّدَbe supported الضُعَفاءُthe weak
وَأَن لَن يُؤَيَّدَ الضُعَفاءُ
Oppressors think they will rule,
Where night seals off its light, sees.
and that the weak will never be supported.
Loyalty called out her children,
وَاللَياليand the nights جَوائِرٌunjust مِثلَماjust as جارواthey acted unjustly
وَاللَيالي جَوائِرٌ مِثلَما جاروا
وَلِلدَهرِand Time has مِثلَهُمlike them أَهواءُwhims
وَلِلدَهرِ مِثلَهُم أَهواءُ
But the nights are unjust just as they were,
And they responded from the graves.
and Time has whims like theirs.
They removed the enemy from her,
لَبِثَتremained مِصرُEgypt فيin الظَلامِdarkness إِلىuntil أَنthat
لَبِثَت مِصرُ في الظَلامِ إِلى أَن
قيلَit was said ماتَdied الصَباحُmorning وَالأَضواءُand the lights
قيلَ ماتَ الصَباحُ وَالأَضواءُ
Egypt remained in darkness until
And the crusts from her eyelids.
it was said that morning and its lights had died.
Bygone glory was restored,
لَمnot يَكُنwas ذاكَthat مِنfrom عَمىًblindness كُلُّevery عَينٍeye
لَم يَكُن ذاكَ مِن عَمىً كُلُّ عَينٍ
حَجَبَobscured اللَيلُthe night ضَوءَهاits light عَمياءُblind
حَجَبَ اللَيلُ ضَوءَها عَمياءُ
It was not blindness: every eye
And the forefathers' heights scaled by their progeny.
whose light the night obscures is blind.
Time returned in magnificence
ماwhat نَراهاwe see of her دَعاcalled الوَفاءُloyalty بَنيهاher sons
ما نَراها دَعا الوَفاءُ بَنيها
وَأَتاهُمand reached them مِنَfrom القُبورِthe graves النِداءُthe summons
وَأَتاهُم مِنَ القُبورِ النِداءُ
What do we see of her? Loyalty called her sons,
With magnificent forebears.
and a summons reached them from the graves,
Like Ramses among recent kings,
لِيُزيحواto drive away عَنهاfrom her العِداthe enemies فَأَزاحواso they drove away
لِيُزيحوا عَنها العِدا فَأَزاحوا
وَأُزيحَتand were removed عَنfrom جَفنِهاher eyelid الأَقذاءُthe specks
وَأُزيحَت عَن جَفنِها الأَقذاءُ
to drive her enemies away; they drove them away,
Yet to Ramses, kings are ransoms.
and the specks were removed from her eyelid.
In young Seti's heart, hopes were pledged,
وَأُعيدَand was restored المَجدُglory القَديمُancient وَقامَتand rose
وَأُعيدَ المَجدُ القَديمُ وَقامَت
فيto مَعاليthe lofty stations of آبائِهاtheir fathers الأَبناءُthe sons
في مَعالي آبائِها الأَبناءُ
Ancient glory was restored, and there rose
When longing for him overcame them.
the sons to their fathers' lofty stations.
The servants prepared for the greatest birth,
وَأَتىand came الدَهرُTime تائِباًrepentant بِعَظيمٍwith a great man
وَأَتى الدَهرُ تائِباً بِعَظيمٍ
مِنfrom عَظيمٍa great man آباؤُهُhis forefathers عُظَماءُgreat men
مِن عَظيمٍ آباؤُهُ عُظَماءُ
Time came repentant, bringing a great man
As the horizon adorned herself.
born of a great man, whose forefathers were great.
Sesostris was distinguished at birth,
مَنwho كَرَمسيسَlike Ramses فيamong المُلوكِkings حَديثاًin renown
مَن كَرَمسيسَ في المُلوكِ حَديثاً
وَلِرَمسيسٍand for Ramses المُلوكُthe kings فِداءُa ransom
وَلِرَمسيسٍ المُلوكُ فِداءُ
Who among kings compares with Ramses in renown?
In his childhood, miracles and favors abound.
All kings would be Ramses' ransom.
We heard of the boy who pardons,
بايَعَتهُpledged allegiance to him القُلوبُhearts فيin صُلبِthe loins of سيتيSeti
بايَعَتهُ القُلوبُ في صُلبِ سيتي
يَومَon the day أَنthat شاقَهاmade them yearn إِلَيهِfor him الرَجاءُhope
يَومَ أَن شاقَها إِلَيهِ الرَجاءُ
Hearts pledged allegiance to him in Seti's loins,
Customary at infancy--caprice and play.
when hope made them yearn for him.
He sees people and kings as equal,
وَاِستَعدَّand prepared العُبّادُthe worshippers لِلمَولِدِfor the birth الأَكبَرِthe greatest
وَاِستَعدَّ العُبّادُ لِلمَولِدِ الأَكبَرِ
وَاِزَّيَّنَتand adorned herself لَهُfor him الغَبراءُthe earth
وَاِزَّيَّنَت لَهُ الغَبراءُ
The worshippers prepared for the greatest birth,
Yet are people and kings equal?
and the earth adorned herself for him.
When flatterers circle him,
جَلَّwas great سيزوستَريسُSesostris عَهداًin reign وَجَلَّتand were great
جَلَّ سيزوستَريسُ عَهداً وَجَلَّت
فيin صِباهُhis boyhood الآياتُthe signs وَالآلاءُand the blessings
في صِباهُ الآياتُ وَالآلاءُ
Great was Sesostris' reign, and great were
His nature spurns their deviousness.
the signs and blessings of his boyhood.
In his heart the fancy of words creeps,
فَسَمِعناso we heard عَنِabout الصَبِيِّthe boy الَّذيwho يَعفوpardons
فَسَمِعنا عَنِ الصَبِيِّ الَّذي يَعفو
وَطَبعُand the nature of الصِباchildhood الغَشومُthe harsh الإِباءُrefusal
وَطَبعُ الصِبا الغَشومُ الإِباءُ
We heard of the boy who pardoned,
Sweet yet sickness, charming yet fraud.
though harsh childhood's nature is refusal;
White hair of the mature--a raven,
وَيَرىand sees الناسَpeople وَالمُلوكَand kings سَواءًequal
وَيَرى الناسَ وَالمُلوكَ سَواءً
وَهَلِand are الناسُpeople وَالمُلوكُand kings سَواءُequal
وَهَلِ الناسُ وَالمُلوكُ سَواءُ
who saw people and kings as equals—
Radiant dawn--gloomy eve.
and are people and kings equal?
Sesostris rose above disposition,
وَأَراناand showed us التاريخُhistory فِرعَونَPharaoh يَمشيwalking
وَأَرانا التاريخُ فِرعَونَ يَمشي
لَمnot يَحُلstood as a barrier دونَbefore بِشرِهِhis cheerfulness كِبرِياءُarrogance
لَم يَحُل دونَ بِشرِهِ كِبرِياءُ
History showed us Pharaoh walking,
And the company of fools.
with no arrogance barring his cheerful welcome.
He sought the heights, attained a place,
يولَدُis born السَيِّدُthe lord المُتَوَّجُthe crowned غَضّاًfresh and tender
يولَدُ السَيِّدُ المُتَوَّجُ غَضّاً
طَهَّرَتهُpurified him فيin مَهدِهاits cradle النَعماءُprosperity
طَهَّرَتهُ في مَهدِها النَعماءُ
The crowned lord is born fresh and tender;
None similar nor peers obtained.
prosperity has cleansed him in its cradle.
Armies rose by his will to power,
لَمnot يُغَيِّرهُchanged him يَومَon the day of ميلادِهِhis birth بُؤhardship (beginning)
لَم يُغَيِّرهُ يَومَ ميلادِهِ بُؤ
سٌhardship (completion) وَلاnor نالَهُtouched him وَليداًas an infant شَقاءُmisery
سٌ وَلا نالَهُ وَليداً شَقاءُ
No hardship changed him on his birthday,
The banner under which the living race.
nor did misery touch him as an infant.
A presence ruled and the wise speak,
فَإِذاthen when ماan emphatic particle المُمَلِّقونَthe flatterers تَوَلَّوهُtake charge of him
فَإِذا ما المُمَلِّقونَ تَوَلَّوهُ
تَوَلَّىtakes charge of طِباعَهُhis nature الخُيَلاءُvainglory
تَوَلَّى طِباعَهُ الخُيَلاءُ
But when flatterers take charge of him,
As judges and sages decree.
vainglory takes charge of his nature.
Constructions cease not, wishing they could
وَسَرىand stole فيinto فُؤادِهِhis heart زُخرُفُthe ornament of القَولِspeech
وَسَرى في فُؤادِهِ زُخرُفُ القَولِ
تَراهُyou find it مُستَعذَباًsweet وَهوَthough it داءُa disease
تَراهُ مُستَعذَباً وَهوَ داءُ
Ornate speech steals into his heart:
Attain its lifespan and permanence.
you find it sweet, though it is disease.
Sciences reviving lands--glories of lands,
فَإِذاthen suddenly أَبيَضُthe white bird of الهَديلِcooing غُرابٌa crow
فَإِذا أَبيَضُ الهَديلِ غُرابٌ
وَإِذاand suddenly أَبلَجُthe radiant light of الصَباحِmorning مَساءُevening
وَإِذا أَبلَجُ الصَباحِ مَساءُ
Then the white cooing bird becomes a crow,
Pride of poets and height of eras.
and radiant morning becomes evening.
O Sesostris what can describe you,
جَلَّwas noble رَمسيسُRamses فِطرَةًby nature وَتَعالىand rose above
جَلَّ رَمسيسُ فِطرَةً وَتَعالى
شيعَةًin following أَنthat يَقودَهُlead him السُفَهاءُthe fools
شيعَةً أَن يَقودَهُ السُفَهاءُ
Ramses was noble by nature, and too exalted
When titles and names fall short?
in his following for fools to lead him.
For you are Amon, the crescent when full,
وَسَماand rose لِلعُلاtoward greatness فَنالَthen attained مَكاناًa station
وَسَما لِلعُلا فَنالَ مَكاناً
لَمnot يَنَلهُattained it الأَمثالُpeers وَالنُظَراءُand equals
لَم يَنَلهُ الأَمثالُ وَالنُظَراءُ
He rose toward greatness and attained a station
The sun, brilliance and fathers.
his peers and equals never attained.
For you are rural and urban Egypt,
وَجُيوشٌand armies يَنهَضنَraise بِالأَرضِover the earth مَلكاًas king
وَجُيوشٌ يَنهَضنَ بِالأَرضِ مَلكاً
وَلِواءٌand a banner مِنfrom تَحتِهِbeneath it الأَحياءُthe living
وَلِواءٌ مِن تَحتِهِ الأَحياءُ
And armies that raised him to kingship over the earth,
Crowned over the lofty throne.
and a banner beneath which stood the living.
For you are institutions in every sea,
وَوُجودٌand a world يُساسُis governed وَالقَولُand the verdict فيهِwithin it
وَوُجودٌ يُساسُ وَالقَولُ فيهِ
ماwhat يَقولُpronounce القُضاةُthe judges وَالحُكَماءُand the sages
ما يَقولُ القُضاةُ وَالحُكَماءُ
And a world governed, in which the verdict
Yours is the land, its earth and sky.
was what judges and sages pronounced.
Would that time had not ruined you, would that
وَبِناءٌand a building إِلىbeside بِناءٍa building يَوَدُّwishes الخُلدُeternity
وَبِناءٌ إِلى بِناءٍ يَوَدُّ الخُلدُ
لَوif only نالَit attained عُمرَهُits lifespan وَالبَقاءُand endurance
لَو نالَ عُمرَهُ وَالبَقاءُ
And building beside building, which eternity would wish
For the land's kingdom hope in you had not ended.
to match in lifespan, and endurance too.
Thus is the way of time--a state then its opposite,
وَعُلومٌand sciences تُحيِrevive البِلادَthe land وَبِنتاand Penta- (Pentaur)
وَعُلومٌ تُحيِ البِلادَ وَبِنتا
هورُ-ur (Pentaur) فَخرُthe pride of البِلادِthe land وَالشُعَراءُand the poets
هورُ فَخرُ البِلادِ وَالشُعَراءُ
And sciences that revive the land, and Pentaur,
No state with time endures.
pride of the land and its poets.
History did not favor you, O day of Cambyses,
إيهِah سيزوستَريسَSesostris ماذاwhat يَنالُattains الوَصفُdescription
إيهِ سيزوستَريسَ ماذا يَنالُ الوَصفُ
يَوماًone day أَوor يَبلُغُreaches الإِطراءُlavish praise
يَوماً أَو يَبلُغُ الإِطراءُ
Ah, Sesostris, what can description attain
No news or tales carry your memory.
on any day, or lavish praise reach?
The wheel turned against you, and an arduous hand
كَبُرَتis too great ذاتُكَyour person العَلِيَّةُthe exalted أَنfor تُحصيto enumerate
كَبُرَت ذاتُكَ العَلِيَّةُ أَن تُحصي
ثَناهاits praise الأَلقابُtitles وَالأَسماءُand names
ثَناها الأَلقابُ وَالأَسماءُ
Your exalted person is too great for
Afflicted this nation on that day.
titles and names to enumerate its praise.
One who insightfully reflects upon what you yielded Egypt
لَكَfor you آمونُAmun وَالهِلالُand the crescent إِذاwhen يَكبُرُit grows
لَكَ آمونُ وَالهِلالُ إِذا يَكبُرُ
وَالشَمسُand the sun وَالضُحىand morning brightness آباءُfathers
وَالشَمسُ وَالضُحى آباءُ
Amun and the crescent, as it grows,
Sees the cure lies nowhere but removal.
and the sun and morning brightness are your fathers.
Permanent misery and lasting woe,
وَلَكَand yours الريفُthe Delta وَالصَعيدُand Upper Egypt وَتاجاand the two crowns of
وَلَكَ الريفُ وَالصَعيدُ وَتاجا
مِصرَEgypt وَالعَرشُand the throne عالِياًlofty وَالرِداءُand the robe
مِصرَ وَالعَرشُ عالِياً وَالرِداءُ
Yours are the Delta, Upper Egypt, and the two crowns
Agony whose agony intensifies.
of Egypt, the lofty throne, and the robe.
A foreign hand ruling the Egyptian,
وَلَكَand yours المُنشَآتُthe towering ships فيin كُلِّevery بَحرٍsea
وَلَكَ المُنشَآتُ في كُلِّ بَحرٍ
وَلَكَand yours البَرُّthe land أَرضُهُits earth وَالسَماءُand the sky
وَلَكَ البَرُّ أَرضُهُ وَالسَماءُ
Yours are the towering ships in every sea;
Without mercy for the Egyptian.
yours the land, its earth and sky.
One who asks the Nile be built upon
لَيتَwould that لَمnot يُبلِكَwore you down الزَمانُTime وَلَمand not يَبلَwore away
لَيتَ لَم يُبلِكَ الزَمانُ وَلَم يَبلَ
لِمُلكِfor the kingdom of البِلادِthe land فيكَin you رَجاءُhope
لِمُلكِ البِلادِ فيكَ رَجاءُ
Would that Time had never worn you down, nor worn down
A state whose width is the land and sky.
the kingdom's hope in you!
Dreams of Egypt by night,
هَكَذاsuch is الدَهرُTime حالَةٌa condition ثُمَّthen ضِدٌّits opposite
هَكَذا الدَهرُ حالَةٌ ثُمَّ ضِدٌّ
ماnot لِحالٍfor any condition مَعَwith الزَمانِTime بَقاءُendurance
ما لِحالٍ مَعَ الزَمانِ بَقاءُ
Such is Time: one condition, then its opposite;
Seen by emperors as quarry.
no condition endures with Time.
Their envoys kept coming,
لاmay not رَعاكَcherish you التاريخُhistory ياO يَومَday of قَمبيزَCambyses
لا رَعاكَ التاريخُ يا يَومَ قَمبيزَ
وَلاand may not طَنطَنَتresound بِكَwith you الأَنباءُreports
وَلا طَنطَنَت بِكَ الأَنباءُ
May history never cherish you, O day of Cambyses,
As its oceans flowed the banners.
nor may reports ring out with your name!
Had the Franciscan summoned Rome's name,
دارَتِturned الدائِراتُdisasters فيكَin you وَنالَتand struck
دارَتِ الدائِراتُ فيكَ وَنالَت
هَذِهِthis الأُمَّةَnation اليَدُthe hand العَسراءُill-fated
هَذِهِ الأُمَّةَ اليَدُ العَسراءُ
Disasters turned their wheel in you, and
Words from Rome would have borne it away.
the ill-fated hand struck this nation.
Every state knew we were targeted,
فَمُبصِرٌso visible مِمّاin what جَنَيتَyou wrought لِمِصرٍfor Egypt
فَمُبصِرٌ مِمّا جَنَيتَ لِمِصرٍ
أَيُّwhat a داءٍsickness ماnot إِنan emphatic particle إِلَيهِfor it دَواءُa remedy
أَيُّ داءٍ ما إِن إِلَيهِ دَواءُ
Plain to see in what you wrought for Egypt
For we are their poison and plague.
is a sickness for which no remedy exists.
Conqueror of the age and realms--Napoleon--
نَكَدٌadversity خالِدٌendless وَبُؤسٌand hardship مُقيمٌabiding
نَكَدٌ خالِدٌ وَبُؤسٌ مُقيمٌ
وَشَقاءٌand misery يَجُدُّarises anew مِنهُfrom it شَقاءُmisery
وَشَقاءٌ يَجُدُّ مِنهُ شَقاءُ
Endless adversity and abiding hardship,
Yet his great commanders betrayed him.
and misery from which fresh misery arises.
He came rashly and left the same,
يَومَthe day of مَنفيسَMemphis وَالبِلادُand the land لِكِسرىbelonged to Chosroes
يَومَ مَنفيسَ وَالبِلادُ لِكِسرى
وَالمُلوكُand the kings المُطاعَةُthe obeyed الأَعداءُthe enemies
وَالمُلوكُ المُطاعَةُ الأَعداءُ
The day of Memphis, when the land belonged to Chosroes,
And before him, its nobles were reckless.
and the obeyed kings were enemies.
Silent at his taunts were the Pyramids,
يَأمُرُcommands السَيفُthe sword فيamong الرِقابِnecks وَيَنهىand forbids
يَأمُرُ السَيفُ في الرِقابِ وَيَنهى
وَلِمِصرٍand Egypt has عَلىupon القَذىthe grit إِغضاءُclosing of the eyes
وَلِمِصرٍ عَلى القَذى إِغضاءُ
The sword commands and forbids among necks,
But their silence--derision.
while Egypt closes her eyes upon the grit.
Suggesting to him Waterloo, where are the armies?
جيءَwas brought بِالمالِكِthe ruler العَزيزِthe mighty ذَليلاًhumiliated
جيءَ بِالمالِكِ العَزيزِ ذَليلاً
لَمnot تُزَلزِلshook فُؤادَهُhis heart البَأساءُadversity
لَم تُزَلزِل فُؤادَهُ البَأساءُ
The mighty ruler was brought in humiliation;
Where are the banners and great warriors?
adversity had not shaken his heart.
He came impetuously and was gone the same,
يُبصِرُhe sees الآلَthe family إِذwhen يُراحُthey are taken away بِهِمwith them فيin
يُبصِرُ الآلَ إِذ يُراحُ بِهِم في
مَوقِفِthe place of الذُلِّhumiliation عَنوَةًforcibly وَيُجاءُand are brought
مَوقِفِ الذُلِّ عَنوَةً وَيُجاءُ
He sees his family forcibly taken and brought
And before him, its nobles were reckless.
through a place of humiliation.
Rome was quiet when he insulted her,
بِنتُthe daughter of فِرعَونَPharaoh فيin السَلاسِلِchains تَمشيwalks
بِنتُ فِرعَونَ في السَلاسِلِ تَمشي
أَزعَجَdisturbed الدَهرُTime عُريُهاher nakedness وَالحَفاءُand bare feet
أَزعَجَ الدَهرُ عُريُها وَالحَفاءُ
Pharaoh's daughter walks in chains;
But her silence--derision.
her nakedness and bare feet disturbed Time.
Suggesting to him Waterloo, where are the armies?
فَكَأَنas though لَمnot يَنهَضbore بِهَودَجِهاher howdah الدَهرُTime
فَكَأَن لَم يَنهَض بِهَودَجِها الدَهرُ
وَلاnor سارَwalked خَلفَهاbehind her الأُمَراءُthe princes
وَلا سارَ خَلفَها الأُمَراءُ
As though Time had never borne her howdah,
Where are the banners and great warriors?
nor princes walked behind her.
The British coveted the Nile, to build upon it
وَأَبوهاand her father العَظيمُthe great يَنظُرُwatches لَمّاwhen
وَأَبوها العَظيمُ يَنظُرُ لَمّا
رُدِّيَتshe was dressed مِثلَماas تُرَدّىare dressed الإِماءُslave women
رُدِّيَت مِثلَما تُرَدّى الإِماءُ
Her great father watches as
A state whose breadth encompassed the heavens and earth.
she is dressed as slave women are dressed.
Rome dreamed of possessing it nightly,
أُعطِيَتshe was given جَرَّةًa jar وَقيلَand it was said إِلَيكِgo to النthe river (beginning)
أُعطِيَت جَرَّةً وَقيلَ إِلَيكِ الن
نَهرقوميriver; rise! (joined fragment) كَماas تَقومُrise النِساءُwomen
نَهرقومي كَما تَقومُ النِساءُ
She was given a jar and told: 'To the
Seen by its emperors as prey.
river! Rise as other women rise.'
Their delegates kept arriving in succession,
فَمَشَتso she walked تُظهِرُshowing الإِباءَproud refusal وَتَحميand guarding الدَمعَthe tears
فَمَشَت تُظهِرُ الإِباءَ وَتَحمي الدَمعَ
أَنagainst تَستَرِقَّهُenslaving them الضَرّاءُadversity
أَن تَستَرِقَّهُ الضَرّاءُ
She walked, showing proud refusal and guarding her tears
As its guardians flowed the banners.
against adversity's enslaving them.
Every nation knew we were preyed upon,
وَالأَعاديand the enemies شَواخِصٌstaring وَأَبوهاand her father
وَالأَعادي شَواخِصٌ وَأَبوها
بِيَدِin the hand of الخَطبِcalamity صَخرَةٌa rock صَمّاءُunyielding
بِيَدِ الخَطبِ صَخرَةٌ صَمّاءُ
The enemies stare, while her father,
For we are their poison and plague.
in calamity's hand, is an unyielding rock.
Vanquisher of the era and realms--Britain--
فَأَرادواso they wished لِيَنظُرواto see دَمعَthe tears of فِرعَونَPharaoh
فَأَرادوا لِيَنظُروا دَمعَ فِرعَونَ
وَفِرعَونُand Pharaoh دَمعُهُhis tears العَنقاءُthe phoenix
وَفِرعَونُ دَمعُهُ العَنقاءُ
They wished to see Pharaoh's tears,
Yet its great leaders betrayed it.
but Pharaoh's tears were the phoenix.
It came to loot the land rapaciously,
فَأَرَوهُso they showed him الصَديقَthe friend فيin ثَوبِthe garb of فَقرٍpoverty
فَأَرَوهُ الصَديقَ في ثَوبِ فَقرٍ
يَسأَلُbegging from الجَمعَthe crowd وَالسُؤالُand begging بَلاءُaffliction
يَسأَلُ الجَمعَ وَالسُؤالُ بَلاءُ
They showed him his friend in poverty's garb,
Surrounded by its fellow vultures, ravenous.
begging from the crowd; begging is affliction.
Coveting the Nile, to construct upon it
فَبَكىso he wept رَحمَةًout of compassion وَماand not كانَwas مَنone who يَبweeps (beginning)
فَبَكى رَحمَةً وَما كانَ مَن يَب
كيweeps (completion) وَلَكِنَّماbut rather أَرادَwilled الوَفاءُloyalty
كي وَلَكِنَّما أَرادَ الوَفاءُ
He wept with compassion; he was not one to
A realm spanning the earth and skies.
weep, but loyalty willed it.
Rome dreamed of ruling it nightly,
هَكَذاsuch are المُلكُkingship وَالمُلوكُand kings وَإِنeven if جارَoppressed
هَكَذا المُلكُ وَالمُلوكُ وَإِن جارَ
زَمانٌTime وَرَوَّعَتand terrified بَلواءُcalamity
زَمانٌ وَرَوَّعَت بَلواءُ
Such are kingship and kings, though
Envisioned by its esteemed Caesars.
Time oppress and calamity terrify.
Its envoys frequented in succession,
لاdo not تَسَلنيask me ماwhat دَولَةُthe rule of الفُرسِPersia ساءَتwas evil
لا تَسَلني ما دَولَةُ الفُرسِ ساءَت
دَولَةُthe rule of الفُرسِPersia فيin البِلادِthe land وَساؤواand they were evil
دَولَةُ الفُرسِ في البِلادِ وَساؤوا
Do not ask me of Persia's rule: evil was
Observed by Sudan's sentries.
Persia's rule in the land, and evil were they.
Had the Jesuit but invoked Rome's name,
أُمَّةٌa nation هَمُّهاits concern الخَرائِبُthe ruins تُبليهاit wears them away
أُمَّةٌ هَمُّها الخَرائِبُ تُبليها
وَحَقُّand the due of الخَرائِبِthe ruins الإِعلاءُbeing raised high
وَحَقُّ الخَرائِبِ الإِعلاءُ
A nation intent on wearing away the ruins,
Rome's responses would have carried consent.
though the ruins deserved to be raised high.
Each state knew we were targeted,
سَلَبَتstripped مِصرَEgypt عِزَّهاof her might وَكَسَتهاand clothed her
سَلَبَت مِصرَ عِزَّها وَكَسَتها
ذِلَّةًin humiliation ماnot لَهاfor it الزَمانَthrough time اِنقِضاءُan end
ذِلَّةً ما لَها الزَمانَ اِنقِضاءُ
It stripped Egypt of her might and clothed her
As their poison and ruin we are known.
in humiliation with no end through time.
The British Eagle swooped down to loot and plunder,
وَاِرتَوىand drank its fill سَيفُهاits sword فَعاجَلَهاthen overtook it اللَهُGod
وَاِرتَوى سَيفُها فَعاجَلَها اللَهُ
بِسَيفٍwith a sword ماnot إِنan emphatic particle لَهُfor it إِرواءُquenching
بِسَيفٍ ما إِن لَهُ إِرواءُ
Its sword drank its fill; then God overtook it
Its horde--eagles circling, starving.
with a sword whose thirst could not be quenched.
It craved the Nile, to establish upon it
طِلبَةٌa wish لِلعِبادِfor humankind كانَتwas لِإِسكَنfor Alexan- (Alexander)
طِلبَةٌ لِلعِبادِ كانَت لِإِسكَن
دَرَ-der (Alexander) فيin نَيلِهاits attainment اليَدُthe hand البَيضاءُgracious
دَرَ في نَيلِها اليَدُ البَيضاءُ
Humankind had a wish, and Alexander
A nation whose width is the land and sky.
had the gracious hand in its fulfillment.
Rome dreamed of possessing it nightly,
شادَraised إِسكَندَرٌAlexander لِمِصرَfor Egypt بِناءًa structure
شادَ إِسكَندَرٌ لِمِصرَ بِناءً
لَمnot تَشِدهُraised it المُلوكُkings وَالأُمَراءُand princes
لَم تَشِدهُ المُلوكُ وَالأُمَراءُ
Alexander raised for Egypt a structure
Envisioned by its Caesars and great warriors.
that kings and princes had never raised:
Their delegates kept arriving in succession,
بَلَداًa city يَرحَلُjourney الأَنامُpeople إِلَيهِto it
بَلَداً يَرحَلُ الأَنامُ إِلَيهِ
وَيَحُجُّand make pilgrimage الطُلّابُstudents وَالحُكَماءُand sages
وَيَحُجُّ الطُلّابُ وَالحُكَماءُ
a city to which people journey,
Watched by Sudan's sentinels.
and students and sages make pilgrimage.
Had the Franciscan but summoned Rome's name,
عاشَlived عُمراًan age فيupon البَحرِthe sea ثَغرَthe port of المَعاليgreatness
عاشَ عُمراً في البَحرِ ثَغرَ المَعالي
وَالمَنارَand the lighthouse الَّذيwhich بِهِby it الاِهتِداءُguidance
وَالمَنارَ الَّذي بِهِ الاِهتِداءُ
It lived an age upon the sea, a port of greatness,
Rome's replies would have brought deliverance.
and the lighthouse by which guidance is found.
Every country knew we were preyed upon,
مُطمَئِنّاًsecure مِنَthrough الكَتائِبِarmies وَالكُتبِand books
مُطمَئِنّاً مِنَ الكَتائِبِ وَالكُتبِ
بِماat what يَنتَهيreaches إِلَيهِto it العَلاءُgreatness
بِما يَنتَهي إِلَيهِ العَلاءُ
Secure through armies and books,
For we are their bane and scourge.
at the height to which greatness reaches.
Vanquisher of the age and kingdoms--Britain--
يَبعَثُsends الضَوءَlight لِلبِلادِto the lands فَتَسريthen travel
يَبعَثُ الضَوءَ لِلبِلادِ فَتَسري
فيwithin سَناهُits radiance الفُهومُunderstanding minds وَالفُهَماءُand men of understanding
في سَناهُ الفُهومُ وَالفُهَماءُ
It sends light to the lands, and there travel
Yet its commanding generals betrayed it.
within its radiance minds and men of understanding.
The Ottoman's despotism ruled over them,
وَالجَواريand the ships فيupon البَحرِthe sea يُظهِرنَdisplay عِزَّthe might of
وَالجَواري في البَحرِ يُظهِرنَ عِزَّ
المُلكِkingship وَالبَحرُand the sea صَولَةٌpower وَثَراءُand wealth
المُلكِ وَالبَحرُ صَولَةٌ وَثَراءُ
The ships upon the sea display the might
A harsh state in eras indeed.
of kingship; the sea is power and wealth.
Usurping authority, the Turkish Pasha
وَالرَعاياand the subjects فيin نِعمَةٍprosperity وَلِبَطلَيand for Ptole- (Ptolemy)
وَالرَعايا في نِعمَةٍ وَلِبَطلَي
موسَ-my (Ptolemy) فيupon الأَرضِthe earth دَولَةٌa kingdom عَلياءُexalted
موسَ في الأَرضِ دَولَةٌ عَلياءُ
The subjects dwell in prosperity, and Ptolemy
In Egypt--a silent instrument.
has an exalted kingdom upon the earth.
Taking money from those unable to pay,
فَقَضىthen decreed اللَهُGod أَنthat تُضَيِّعَsquander هَذاthis المُلكَkingdom
فَقَضى اللَهُ أَن تُضَيِّعَ هَذا المُلكَ
أُنثىa woman صَعبٌdifficult عَلَيهاfor her الوَفاءُfidelity
أُنثى صَعبٌ عَلَيها الوَفاءُ
Then God decreed that this kingdom should be squandered
Vows made, yet unfulfilled--naught but air.
by a woman for whom fidelity was difficult.
Contentment is gained by consent on issues
تَخِذَتهاmade her روماRome إِلىtoward الشَرِّevil
تَخِذَتها روما إِلى الشَرِّ
تَمهيداًa stepping-stone وَتَمهيدُهُand paving its way بِأُنثىthrough a woman بَلاءُcalamity
تَمهيداً وَتَمهيدُهُ بِأُنثى بَلاءُ
Rome made her a stepping-stone to evil;
None content with even partially.
paving its way through a woman is calamity.
So wisdom and caution are used to protect the morrow,
فَتَناهىthen reached its utmost الفَسادُcorruption فيin هَذِهِthis الأَرضِland
فَتَناهى الفَسادُ في هَذِهِ الأَرضِ
وَجازَand surpassed الأَبالِسَthe devils الإِغواءُtemptation
وَجازَ الأَبالِسَ الإِغواءُ
Corruption reached its utmost in this land,
For caution is wisdom and guile.
and temptation surpassed the devils.
The eagle swooped down, pillaging bountifully,
ضَيَّعَتruined قَيصَرَthe Caesar of البَرِيَّةِmankind أُنثىa woman
ضَيَّعَت قَيصَرَ البَرِيَّةِ أُنثى
ياO لَرَبّيmy Lord مِمّاat what تَجُرُّbring about النِساءُwomen
يا لَرَبّي مِمّا تَجُرُّ النِساءُ
A woman ruined mankind's Caesar;
Its horde--eagles hoarding, starving.
O my Lord, what women bring about!
It craved the Nile, to construct upon it
فَتَنَتbewitched مِنهُin him كَهفَthe refuge of روماRome المُرَجّىhoped-for
فَتَنَت مِنهُ كَهفَ روما المُرَجّى
وَالحُسامَand the sword الَّذيwhich بِهِby it الاِتِّقاءُdefense
وَالحُسامَ الَّذي بِهِ الاِتِّقاءُ
She bewitched in him Rome's hoped-for refuge,
A reign whose breadth is the land and sky.
and the sword by which it was defended,
Rome coveted it nights, by its Caesars fantasized,
قاهِرَthe conqueror of الخَصمِthe opponent وَالجَحافِلِand armies مَهماhowever
قاهِرَ الخَصمِ وَالجَحافِلِ مَهما
جَدَّgrew fierce هَولُthe terror of الوَغىbattle وَجَدَّand grew fierce اللِقاءُthe encounter
جَدَّ هَولُ الوَغى وَجَدَّ اللِقاءُ
the conqueror of opponents and armies, however
Dreamt by its great men since yonder.
fierce the terror of battle and the encounter grew.
Its messengers came in succession, observed
فَأَتاهاthen came to her مَنone who لَيسَnot تَملُكُهُpossesses him
فَأَتاها مَن لَيسَ تَملُكُهُ
أُنثىa woman وَلاnor تَستَرِقُّهُenslaves him هَيفاءُa slender beauty
أُنثى وَلا تَستَرِقُّهُ هَيفاءُ
Then there came to her one whom no
By the Mamluks whom it had overpowered.
woman could possess, no slender beauty enslave:
Had this Jesuit spoken Rome's name,
بَطَلُthe hero of الدَولَتَينِthe two realms حامىthe defender of حِمىthe sanctuary of
بَطَلُ الدَولَتَينِ حامى حِمى
روماRome الَّذيwho لاnot تَقودُهُlead him الأَهواءُpassions
روما الَّذي لا تَقودُهُ الأَهواءُ
hero of the two realms, guardian of
Consent would have come from Rome unfurled.
Rome's sanctuary, whom passions could not lead.
Every state knew we were targeted,
أَخَذَtook المُلكَthe kingdom وَهيَwhile she فيin قَبضَةِthe grip of الأَفعىthe serpent
أَخَذَ المُلكَ وَهيَ في قَبضَةِ الأَفعى
عَنِto المُلكِsovereignty وَالهَوىand love عَمياءُblind
عَنِ المُلكِ وَالهَوى عَمياءُ
He took the kingdom while she, in the serpent's grip,
As their plague and ruin we are known.
was blind to sovereignty and love.
Vanquisher of the age and realms--Britain--
سَلَبَتهاstole her الحَياةَlife فَاِعجَبso marvel لِرَقطاءَat a speckled one
سَلَبَتها الحَياةَ فَاِعجَب لِرَقطاءَ
أَراحَتrelieved مِنهاof her الوَرىmankind رَقطاءُa speckled one
أَراحَت مِنها الوَرى رَقطاءُ
It stole her life: marvel at a speckled woman
Though its generals refused subjugation.
from whom a speckled snake relieved mankind.
An avaricious nation set on ruining,
لَمnot تُصِبachieved بِالخِداعِthrough deception نُجحاًsuccess وَلَكِنbut
لَم تُصِب بِالخِداعِ نُجحاً وَلَكِن
خَدَعوهاthey deceived her بِقَولِهِمby their saying حَسناءُbeautiful
خَدَعوها بِقَولِهِم حَسناءُ
She achieved no success through deception, but
Prepared by women--the route to evil.
they deceived her by calling her beautiful.
They seduced its Caesars from Rome, the refuge,
قَتَلَتkilled نَفسَهاherself وَظَنَّتand thought فِداءًa sacrifice
قَتَلَت نَفسَها وَظَنَّت فِداءً
صَغُرَتwas small نَفسُهاher soul وَقَلَّand was slight الفِداءُthe sacrifice
صَغُرَت نَفسُها وَقَلَّ الفِداءُ
She killed herself, thinking it a sacrifice;
And the swords by which they sought refuge.
her soul was small, and slight the sacrifice.
Conqueror of enemies and legions, no matter
سَلask كِلوبَترَةَCleopatra المُكايِدِthe intrigues هَلّاwhy did not
سَل كِلوبَترَةَ المُكايِدِ هَلّا
صَدَّهاturn her away عَنfrom وَلاءِallegiance to روماRome الدَهاءُcunning
صَدَّها عَن وَلاءِ روما الدَهاءُ
Ask Cleopatra of intrigues: why did not
How violent the chaos and fierce the meeting.
her cunning turn her from allegiance to Rome?
One not controlled by women nor captivated
فَبِروماso through Rome تَأَيَّدَتshe gained support وَبِروماand through Rome
فَبِروما تَأَيَّدَت وَبِروما
هِيَshe تَشقىsuffers وَهَكَذاand such are الأَعداءُenemies
هِيَ تَشقى وَهَكَذا الأَعداءُ
Through Rome she gained support, and through Rome
By the tempting whispers of maidens.
she suffers; such are enemies.
Hero of both empires, guardian of Rome,
وَلِروماand Rome possesses المُلكُthe kingdom الَّذيwhich طالَماso often
وَلِروما المُلكُ الَّذي طالَما
وافاهُreached it فيin السِرِّsecret نُصحُهاher counsel وَالوَلاءُand allegiance
وافاهُ في السِرِّ نُصحُها وَالوَلاءُ
Rome possesses the kingdom which so often
Whom desires lead not, nor passions enslave.
received her secret counsel and allegiance.
He ruled and she was in the serpent's grasp,
وَتَوَلَّتand governed مِصراًEgypt يَمينٌa right hand عَلىtoward المِصرِيِّthe Egyptian
وَتَوَلَّت مِصراً يَمينٌ عَلى المِصرِيِّ
مِنunlike دونِapart from ذاthese الوَرىpeople عَسراءُa left hand
مِن دونِ ذا الوَرى عَسراءُ
A right hand governed Egypt, but toward the Egyptian
Far from rule and blind desire.
alone, unlike all others, it was a left hand.
She took Cleopatra's life--marvel that
تُسمِعُmakes hear الأَرضُthe earth قَيصَراًCaesar حينَwhen تَدعوit calls
تُسمِعُ الأَرضُ قَيصَراً حينَ تَدعو
وَعَقيمٌand fruitless مِنfrom أَهلِthe people of مِصرَEgypt الدُعاءُthe call
وَعَقيمٌ مِن أَهلِ مِصرَ الدُعاءُ
The earth makes Caesar hear when it calls;
She relieved the world of Cleopatra!
the call from Egypt's people is fruitless.
She failed at deception yet thought herself ransom,
وَيُنيلُand grants الوَرىmankind الحُقوقَrights فَإِنbut if
وَيُنيلُ الوَرى الحُقوقَ فَإِن
نادَتهُcalls him مِصرٌEgypt فَأُذنُهُthen his ear صَمّاءُdeaf
نادَتهُ مِصرٌ فَأُذنُهُ صَمّاءُ
He grants mankind its rights, but if
Diminished herself--meager ransom indeed!
Egypt calls him, his ear is deaf.
Ask how she was lured from loyalty to Rome,
فَاِصبِريso endure مِصرُEgypt لِلبَلاءِaffliction وَأَنّىbut how
فَاِصبِري مِصرُ لِلبَلاءِ وَأَنّى
لَكِcan you وَالصَبرُwhen endurance لِلبَلاءِof affliction بَلاءُaffliction
لَكِ وَالصَبرُ لِلبَلاءِ بَلاءُ
Endure affliction, Egypt—but how can
Oh my Lord, from women what is borne!
you, when enduring affliction is itself affliction?
Thus Rome triumphed, yet she was misery,
ذاthis الَّذيthe one whom كُنتِyou used to تَلتَجينَseek refuge إِلَيهِwith him
ذا الَّذي كُنتِ تَلتَجينَ إِلَيهِ
لَيسَnot مِنهُfrom him إِلىto سِواهُanyone else النَجاءُescape
لَيسَ مِنهُ إِلى سِواهُ النَجاءُ
This is the one to whom you used to turn for refuge;
Thus are the ways of enemies.
there is no escaping him by turning to another.
To Rome belonged the empire she lost
رَبِّmy Lord شُقتَYou filled with longing العِبادَthe servants أَزمانَin ages
رَبِّ شُقتَ العِبادَ أَزمانَ
لاno كُتبٌbooks بِهاby them يُهتَدىguidance is found وَلاnor أَنبِياءُprophets
لا كُتبٌ بِها يُهتَدى وَلا أَنبِياءُ
Lord, You filled Your servants with longing in ages
Secretly loyal, overtly disowned.
with neither guiding books nor prophets.
Corruption spread in this land,
ذَهَبواthey went فيin الهَوىlonging مَذاهِبَalong paths شَتّىdiverse
ذَهَبوا في الهَوى مَذاهِبَ شَتّى
جَمَعَتهاdrew them together الحَقيقَةُtruth الزَهراءُthe radiant
جَمَعَتها الحَقيقَةُ الزَهراءُ
In longing they followed many paths,
As demons roamed tempting.
which radiant truth drew together.
God willed it cleansed by the sword,
فَإِذاthen if لَقَّبواthey called قَوِيّاًa mighty one إِلَهاa god
فَإِذا لَقَّبوا قَوِيّاً إِلَها
فَلَهُthen he has بِالقُوىthrough his powers إِلَيكِto You اِنتِهاءُan ultimate end
فَلَهُ بِالقُوى إِلَيكِ اِنتِهاءُ
If they called a mighty one a god,
Washed by blood of sins.
his powers ultimately lead to You.
And thus souls are diseased, each limb
وَإِذاand if آثَرواthey favored جَميلاًa beautiful one بِتَنزيهٍwith sanctification
وَإِذا آثَروا جَميلاً بِتَنزيهٍ
فَإِنَّfor indeed الجَمالَbeauty مِنكِfrom You حِباءُa gift
فَإِنَّ الجَمالَ مِنكِ حِباءُ
If they favored a beautiful one with sanctification,
At times ransom for another.
beauty itself is a gift from You.
God did not neglect believers, but
وَإِذاand if أَنشَئواthey fashioned التَماثيلَstatues غُرّاًradiant
وَإِذا أَنشَئوا التَماثيلَ غُرّاً
فَإِلَيكِthen toward You الرُموزُthe symbols وَالإيماءُand allusions
فَإِلَيكِ الرُموزُ وَالإيماءُ
If they fashioned radiant statues,
The ignorant are ruined by ignorance.
their symbols and allusions point to You.
And when sins abound, overpower,
وَإِذاand if قَدَّرواthey reckoned الكَواكِبَthe stars أَرباباًlords
وَإِذا قَدَّروا الكَواكِبَ أَرباباً
فَمِنكِthen from You السَناradiance وَمِنكِand from You السَناءُsplendor
فَمِنكِ السَنا وَمِنكِ السَناءُ
If they reckoned the stars as lords,
Then justice mandates overpowering retribution.
from You come radiance and splendor.
Darkness enveloped East and West after Caesar,
وَإِذاand if أَلَّهواthey deified النَباتَplants فَمِنthen among آثارِthe traces of
وَإِذا أَلَّهوا النَباتَ فَمِن آثارِ
نُعماكِYour bounty حُسنُهُtheir beauty وَالنَماءُand growth
نُعماكِ حُسنُهُ وَالنَماءُ
If they deified plants, among the traces of
Blanketing the land in darkness.
Your bounty were their beauty and growth.
The world in misguidance exacerbated,
وَإِذاand if يَمَّمواthey turned toward الجِبالَthe mountains سُجوداًin prostration
وَإِذا يَمَّموا الجِبالَ سُجوداً
فَالمُرادُthen the intended الجَلالَةُmajesty الشَمّاءُthe lofty
فَالمُرادُ الجَلالَةُ الشَمّاءُ
If they turned toward mountains in prostration,
Ignorance spreading, people ignorant.
lofty majesty was what they sought.
Some perceived the divine as but a person,
وَإِذاand if تُعبَدُare worshipped البِحارُthe seas مَعَalong with الأَسماكِfish
وَإِذا تُعبَدُ البِحارُ مَعَ الأَسماكِ
وَالعاصِفاتُand storm winds وَالأَنواءُand tempests
وَالعاصِفاتُ وَالأَنواءُ
If seas are worshipped along with fish,
Or a flame, or a barren stone.
and storm winds and tempests,
Passions turned souls to idols,
وَسِباعُand the beasts of السَماءِthe sky وَالأَرضِand the earth وَالأَرحامُand wombs
وَسِباعُ السَماءِ وَالأَرضِ وَالأَرحامُ
وَالأُمَّهاتُand mothers وَالآباءُand fathers
وَالأُمَّهاتُ وَالآباءُ
and beasts of sky and earth, and wombs,
Until all desires to them channeled.
and mothers and fathers:
So God willed cleansing by the sword,
لِعُلاكَto Your exaltedness المُذَكَّراتُmasculine things عَبيدٌslaves
لِعُلاكَ المُذَكَّراتُ عَبيدٌ
خُضَّعٌbowed low وَالمُؤَنَّثاتُand feminine things إِماءُbondmaids
خُضَّعٌ وَالمُؤَنَّثاتُ إِماءُ
all masculine things are slaves to Your exaltedness,
To wash away sins, blood the cleanser.
bowed low; all feminine things are bondmaids.
Its nations ignored for eras without scriptures nor prophets,
جَمَعَjoined الخَلقَcreation وَالفَضيلَةَand virtue سِرٌّa mystery
جَمَعَ الخَلقَ وَالفَضيلَةَ سِرٌّ
شَفَّbecame transparent عَنهُbefore it الحِجابُthe veil فَهوَso it ضِياءُlight
شَفَّ عَنهُ الحِجابُ فَهوَ ضِياءُ
A mystery joined creation and virtue;
Wandered in passions diverse ways.
the veil became transparent before it: it is light.
United in truth, diverse in means,
سَجَدَتbowed مِصرُEgypt فيthrough الزَمانِtime لِإيزيسَto Isis
سَجَدَت مِصرُ في الزَمانِ لِإيزيسَ
النَدىbounty مَنshe who لَهاhas اليَدُthe hand البَيضاءُgracious
النَدى مَن لَها اليَدُ البَيضاءُ
Egypt bowed through time before Isis
Until came whom all means lead.
of bounty, she of the gracious hand.
We clung to You before the prophets,
إِنif تَلِshe governs البَرَّthe land فَالبِلادُthen the country نُضارٌgold
إِن تَلِ البَرَّ فَالبِلادُ نُضارٌ
أَوor تَلِshe governs البَحرَthe sea فَالرِياحُthen the winds رُخاءُgentle
أَو تَلِ البَحرَ فَالرِياحُ رُخاءُ
If she governs the land, the country is gold;
Limbs aligning in Your love.
if she governs the sea, the winds are gentle.
Had the darkness of ignorance not led us astray,
أَوor تَلِshe governs النَفسَthe soul فَهيَthen she فيin كُلِّevery عُضوٍlimb
أَو تَلِ النَفسَ فَهيَ في كُلِّ عُضوٍ
أَوor تَلِshe governs الأُفقَthe horizon فَهيَthen she فيهِwithin it ذُكاءُthe sun
أَو تَلِ الأُفقَ فَهيَ فيهِ ذُكاءُ
If she governs the soul, she is in every limb;
We would have found the way to You.
if she governs the horizon, she is its sun.
We adopted names for You numerous,
قيلَit was said إيزيسُIsis رَبَّةَmistress of الكَونِthe universe لَولاwere it not
قيلَ إيزيسُ رَبَّةَ الكَونِ لَولا
أَنthat تَوَحَّدتِYou were One لَمnot تَكُexisted الأَشياءُthings
أَن تَوَحَّدتِ لَم تَكُ الأَشياءُ
It was said: 'Isis, mistress of the universe, were it not
Then all names became Yours, Mohammad arrived.
for Your oneness, things would not exist.
We sought magic until came magic,
وَاِتَّخَذتِand You took الأَنوارَlights حُجباًas veils فَلَمso not
وَاِتَّخَذتِ الأَنوارَ حُجباً فَلَم
تُبصِركِbeheld You أَرضٌearth وَلاnor رَأَتكِsaw You سَماءُheaven
تُبصِركِ أَرضٌ وَلا رَأَتكِ سَماءُ
You took lights for veils; no
Subjugating magic through his staff.
earth beheld You, nor heaven saw You.
God wanted reverence of intellect,
أَنتِYou ماwhat أَظهَرَrevealed الوُجودُexistence وَماand what
أَنتِ ما أَظهَرَ الوُجودُ وَما
أَخفىconcealed وَأَنتِand You الإِظهارُrevealing وَالإِخفاءُand concealment
أَخفى وَأَنتِ الإِظهارُ وَالإِخفاءُ
You are what existence reveals and what
Not disregard of thought.
it conceals; You are revealing and concealment.
Pharaoh deemed Moses a loyalist,
لَكَYours آبيسُApis وَالمُحَبَّبُand the beloved أوزيريسُOsiris
لَكَ آبيسُ وَالمُحَبَّبُ أوزيريسُ
وَاِبناهُand his two sons كُلُّهُمall of them أَولِياءُdevotees
وَاِبناهُ كُلُّهُم أَولِياءُ
Apis and beloved Osiris are Yours,
Yet loyalty at times is traitorous!
and his two sons: all are Your devotees.
His calculations on the day his Lord summoned omitted
مُثِّلَتwas represented لِلعُيونِto the eyes ذاتُكِYour person وَالتَمثيلُand representation
مُثِّلَت لِلعُيونِ ذاتُكِ وَالتَمثيلُ
يُدنيbrings near مَنone who لاnot لَهُfor him إِدناءُbringing near
يُدني مَن لا لَهُ إِدناءُ
Your person was represented to the eyes; representation
That requital can counterbalance deed.
brings near the one who cannot be brought near.
So God willed he be defied, for God
وَاِدَّعاكِand claimed You اليونانُthe Greeks مِنfrom بَعدِafter مِصرٍEgypt
وَاِدَّعاكِ اليونانُ مِن بَعدِ مِصرٍ
وَتَلاهُand followed them فيin حُبِّكِlove of You القُدَماءُthe ancients
وَتَلاهُ في حُبِّكِ القُدَماءُ
The Greeks claimed You after Egypt,
Alone is obeyed, not mortal prophets.
and the ancients followed them in loving You.'
Moses belongs to Egypt in loyalty, and Moses
فَإِذاthen if قيلَit is asked ماwhat مَفاخِرَthe glories of مِصرٍEgypt
فَإِذا قيلَ ما مَفاخِرَ مِصرٍ
قيلَit is said مِنهاamong them إيزيسُهاher Isis الغَرّاءُthe radiant
قيلَ مِنها إيزيسُها الغَرّاءُ
If asked what Egypt's glories are,
To Egypt, if ancestry and belonging.
one says: among them is her radiant Isis.
Its pride in the Supported makes it proud, no matter
رَبِّmy Lord هَذيthese عُقولُناour minds فيin صِباهاtheir youth
رَبِّ هَذي عُقولُنا في صِباها
نالَهاstruck them الخَوفُfear وَاِستَباهاand captivated them الرَجاءُhope
نالَها الخَوفُ وَاِستَباها الرَجاءُ
Lord, these are our minds in their youth,
How much it shunned the Sublime Herald briefly.
struck by fear and captivated by hope.
If it had spurned him in the moment of doubt,
فعَشِقناكَso we loved You قَبلَbefore أَنthat تَأتِيَcame الرُسلُthe messengers
فعَشِقناكَ قَبلَ أَن تَأتِيَ الرُسلُ
وَقامَتand arose بِحُبِّكَin love of You الأَعضاءُthe limbs
وَقامَت بِحُبِّكَ الأَعضاءُ
We loved You before the messengers came,
The greatest earn the greatest rejections.
and our limbs arose in love of You.
An ingrained flaw the people suffer through,
وَوَصَلناand continued السُرىthe night journey فَلَولاbut for ظَلامُthe darkness of الجَهلِignorance
وَوَصَلنا السُرى فَلَولا ظَلامُ الجَهلِ
لَمnot يَخطُناpassed us by إِلَيكِtoward You اِهتِداءُguidance
لَم يَخطُنا إِلَيكِ اِهتِداءُ
We journeyed on through night; but for ignorance's darkness,
Land and dwellings equally afflicted.
guidance toward You would not have missed us.
A sage humbled--a blow to sages!
وَاِتَّخَذناand we adopted الأَسماءَnames شَتّىdiverse فَلَمّاbut when
وَاِتَّخَذنا الأَسماءَ شَتّى فَلَمّا
جاءَcame موسىMoses اِنتَهَتcame finally لَكَto You الأَسماءُthe names
جاءَ موسى اِنتَهَت لَكَ الأَسماءُ
We adopted diverse names, but when
The exalted discarded--what waste!
Moses came, the names came finally to You.
Gentleness was born the day Jesus came,
حَجَّناhe confuted us فيin الزَمانِthat age سِحراًmagic بِسِحرٍwith magic
حَجَّنا في الزَمانِ سِحراً بِسِحرٍ
وَاِطمَأَنَّتand found reassurance إِلىin العَصاthe staff السُعَداءُthe blessed
وَاِطمَأَنَّت إِلى العَصا السُعَداءُ
He confuted us in that age, matching magic with magic;
As did chivalry, guidance and propriety.
the blessed found reassurance in the staff.
The universe flourished with his birth,
وَيُريدُand wishes الإِلَهُGod أَنthat يُكرَمَbe honored العَقلُreason
وَيُريدُ الإِلَهُ أَن يُكرَمَ العَقلُ
وَأَلّاand that not تُحَقَّرَbe despised الآراءُopinions
وَأَلّا تُحَقَّرَ الآراءُ
God wishes reason to be honored,
As the horizon gleamed with his glow.
and opinions not to be despised.
The portent of the Messiah pervaded
ظَنَّthought فِرعَونُPharaoh أَنَّthat موسىMoses لَهُto him وافٍfaithful
ظَنَّ فِرعَونُ أَنَّ موسى لَهُ وافٍ
وَعِندَand among الكِرامِthe noble يُرجىis expected الوَفاءُfaithfulness
وَعِندَ الكِرامِ يُرجى الوَفاءُ
Pharaoh thought Moses would be faithful to him;
Like dawn's radiance spreading through existence.
among the noble, faithfulness is expected.
Filling the earth and cosmos with light,
لَمnot يَكُنwas فيin حِسابِهِhis reckoning يَومَwhen رَبّىhe raised him
لَم يَكُن في حِسابِهِ يَومَ رَبّى
أَنthat سَيَأتيwould come ضِدَّthe opposite of الجَزاءِthe recompense الجَزاءُthe recompense
أَن سَيَأتي ضِدَّ الجَزاءِ الجَزاءُ
He did not reckon, when he raised him,
As creation pulses with vitality and brilliance.
that the recompense would be its opposite.
No threats, no tyranny, no revenge,
فَرَأىthen willed اللَهُGod أَنthat يَعِقَّhe be unfilial وَلِلَّهِand to God
فَرَأى اللَهُ أَن يَعِقَّ وَلِلَّهِ
تَفيkeep faith لاnot لِغَيرِهِto another الأَنبِياءُthe prophets
تَفي لا لِغَيرِهِ الأَنبِياءُ
God willed that he should be unfilial; for to God
No swords, no raids, no blood spilled.
alone, not to another, prophets keep faith.
A king mingling with dust, then tired,
مِصرُEgypt موسىMoses عِندَby اِنتِماءٍaffiliation وَموسىand Moses
مِصرُ موسى عِندَ اِنتِماءٍ وَموسى
مِصرُEgypt إِنif كانَthere is نِسبَةٌkinship وَاِنتِماءُand belonging
مِصرُ إِن كانَ نِسبَةٌ وَاِنتِماءُ
Egypt belongs to Moses by affiliation, and Moses
The heavens shunned the dust, rising sublime.
belongs to Egypt, if kinship and belonging count.
Elders obeyed him in divinity humbly,
فَبِهِso through him فَخرُهاher glory المُؤَيَّدُthe upheld مَهماwhenever
فَبِهِ فَخرُها المُؤَيَّدُ مَهما
هُزَّis waved بِالسَيِّدِfor the lord الكَليمِwho spoke with God اللِواءُthe banner
هُزَّ بِالسَيِّدِ الكَليمِ اللِواءُ
Through him her glory is upheld whenever
The humble and weak submitted to him.
the banner is waved for the lord who spoke with God.
People and kings acquiesced to his call,
إِنif تَكُنshe has been قَدindeed جَفَتهُshunned him فيin ساعَةِthe hour of الشَكِّdoubt
إِن تَكُن قَد جَفَتهُ في ساعَةِ الشَكِّ
فَحَظُّthen the portion of الكَبيرِthe great man مِنهاfrom her الجَفاءُestrangement
فَحَظُّ الكَبيرِ مِنها الجَفاءُ
If she shunned him in an hour of doubt,
As did minds and sages.
estrangement is the great man's portion from her.
They gained insight when experiencing his way,
خِلَّةٌa habit لِلبِلادِof the land يَشقىsuffer بِهاthrough it الناسُpeople
خِلَّةٌ لِلبِلادِ يَشقى بِها الناسُ
وَتَشقىand suffer الدِيارُhomes وَالأَبناءُand children
وَتَشقى الدِيارُ وَالأَبناءُ
A habit of the land through which people suffer,
For the enlightened attain truths.
and homes and children suffer.
The sacred temple becomes a monastery,
فَكَبيرٌso a grave thing أَلّاthat not يُصانَbe protected كَبيرٌa great man
فَكَبيرٌ أَلّا يُصانَ كَبيرٌ
وَعَظيمٌand a grievous thing أَنthat يُنبَذَbe rejected العُظَماءُthe great
وَعَظيمٌ أَن يُنبَذَ العُظَماءُ
A grave thing, that a great man is not protected;
The monastery--elegance and splendor.
a grievous thing, that the great are rejected.
A place for Jesus, and for Manfis--
وُلِدَwas born الرِفقُgentleness يَومَon the day of مَولِدِthe birth of عيسىJesus
وُلِدَ الرِفقُ يَومَ مَولِدِ عيسى
وَالمُروءاتُand noble virtues وَالهُدىand guidance وَالحَياءُand modesty
وَالمُروءاتُ وَالهُدى وَالحَياءُ
Gentleness was born on the day Jesus was born,
Opulence, the Delta and plateau!
and nobility, guidance, and modesty.
Only for my Lord are earth and sky,
وَاِزدَهىand rejoiced الكَونُthe universe بِالوَليدِin the newborn وَضاءَتand shone
وَاِزدَهى الكَونُ بِالوَليدِ وَضاءَت
بِسَناهُwith his radiance مِنَof الثَرىthe earth الأَرجاءُthe regions
بِسَناهُ مِنَ الثَرى الأَرجاءُ
The universe rejoiced in the newborn, and
The prophets--kings of truth.
earth's regions shone with his radiance.
For them belong pure love from the followers,
وَسَرَتand spread آيَةُthe sign of المَسيحِChrist كَماas يَسريspreads
وَسَرَت آيَةُ المَسيحِ كَما يَسري
مِنَfrom الفَجرِdawn فيthrough الوُجودِexistence الضِياءُlight
مِنَ الفَجرِ في الوُجودِ الضِياءُ
The sign of Christ spread as
Theirs, not passions, is loyalty.
light spreads through existence from the dawn.
Only a people who deny religions
تَملَأُfills الأَرضَthe earth وَالعَوالِمَand the worlds نوراًwith light
تَملَأُ الأَرضَ وَالعَوالِمَ نوراً
فَالثَرىso the earth مائِجٌsurging بَهاًwith beauty وَضّاءُradiant
فَالثَرى مائِجٌ بَهاً وَضّاءُ
It fills the earth and worlds with light;
Deny what they disavow, wretched.
the earth surges with radiant beauty.
The rule of Caesars withered as people do,
لاno وَعيدٌthreat لاno صَولَةٌassault لاno اِنتِقامُvengeance
لا وَعيدٌ لا صَولَةٌ لا اِنتِقامُ
لاno حُسامٌsword لاno غَزوَةٌinvasion لاno دِماءُblood
لا حُسامٌ لا غَزوَةٌ لا دِماءُ
No threat, no assault, no vengeance;
Their malady, as always, oblivion.
no sword, no invasion, no blood.
Not sustained by countries nor wealth of realms,
مَلَكٌan angel جاوَرَdwelt beside التُرابَthe dust فَلَمّاand when
مَلَكٌ جاوَرَ التُرابَ فَلَمّا
مَلَّhe tired نابَتtook the place عَنِof التُرابِthe dust السَماءُheaven
مَلَّ نابَت عَنِ التُرابِ السَماءُ
An angel dwelt beside the dust, and when
When the inevitable call comes.
he tired, heaven took the place of earth.
Rome attained what Athens attained before,
وَأَطاعَتهُand obeyed him فيin الإِلَهِGod's matters شُيوخٌelders
وَأَطاعَتهُ في الإِلَهِ شُيوخٌ
خُشَّعٌreverent خُضَّعٌsubmissive لَهُbefore him ضُعَفاءُweak
خُشَّعٌ خُضَّعٌ لَهُ ضُعَفاءُ
Elders obeyed him in matters of God,
By its creed did its wise men rise.
reverent, submissive, weak before him.
God's ways in kingdoms are known,
أَذعَنَsubmitted الناسُpeople وَالمُلوكُand kings إِلىto ماwhat
أَذعَنَ الناسُ وَالمُلوكُ إِلى ما
رَسَمواthey ordained وَالعُقولُand minds وَالعُقَلاءُand men of reason
رَسَموا وَالعُقولُ وَالعُقَلاءُ
People and kings submitted to what
No permanence for prosperity.
they ordained, as did minds and men of reason.
Darkened the East after Caesar, darkened the West,
فَلَهُمso they have وَقفَةٌa station عَلىin كُلِّevery أَرضٍland
فَلَهُم وَقفَةٌ عَلى كُلِّ أَرضٍ
وَعَلىand upon كُلِّevery شاطِئٍshore إِرساءُan anchorage
وَعَلى كُلِّ شاطِئٍ إِرساءُ
They have a station in every land,
Blanketing the land in darkness.
and an anchorage upon every shore.
The world in misguidance exacerbated,
دَخَلواthey entered ثَيبَةًThebes فَأَحسَنَthen made gracious لُقياmeeting (continues)
دَخَلوا ثَيبَةً فَأَحسَنَ لُقيا
هُمthem (attached completion) رِجالٌmen بِثيبَةٍin Thebes حُكَماءُwise
هُم رِجالٌ بِثيبَةٍ حُكَماءُ
They entered Thebes, and were warmly welcomed
Ignorance spreading, people ignorant.
by wise men of Thebes.
Some perceived the divine as but a person,
فَهِمواthey understood السِرَّthe mystery حينَwhen ذاقواthey tasted وَسَهلٌand easy
فَهِموا السِرَّ حينَ ذاقوا وَسَهلٌ
أَنthat يَنالَattain الحَقائِقَtruths الفُهَماءُmen of understanding
أَن يَنالَ الحَقائِقَ الفُهَماءُ
They understood the mystery when they tasted it; it is easy
Or a flame, or a barren stone.
for men of understanding to attain truths.
Passions turned souls to idols,
فَإِذاthen suddenly الهَيكَلُthe temple المُقَدَّسُthe sacred دَيرٌa monastery
فَإِذا الهَيكَلُ المُقَدَّسُ دَيرٌ
وَإِذاand suddenly الدَيرُthe monastery رَونَقٌgrace وَبَهاءُand splendor
وَإِذا الدَيرُ رَونَقٌ وَبَهاءُ
Then the sacred temple was a monastery,
Until all desires to them channeled.
and the monastery was grace and splendor.
God willed it cleansed by the sword,
وَإِذاand suddenly ثَيبَةٌThebes لِعيسىbelongs to Jesus وَمَنفيسُand Memphis
وَإِذا ثَيبَةٌ لِعيسى وَمَنفيسُ
وَنَيلُand the Nile of الثَراءِabundance وَالبَطحاءُand the plains
وَنَيلُ الثَراءِ وَالبَطحاءُ
Then Thebes and Memphis belonged to Jesus,
To wash away sins, blood the cleanser.
and the Nile of abundance and the plains.
Its nations ignored for ages without scriptures nor prophets,
إِنَّماonly الأَرضُthe earth وَالفَضاءُand open space لِرَبّيbelong to my Lord
إِنَّما الأَرضُ وَالفَضاءُ لِرَبّي
وَمُلوكُand the kings of الحَقيقَةِtruth الأَنبِياءُthe prophets
وَمُلوكُ الحَقيقَةِ الأَنبِياءُ
The earth and open space belong only to my Lord;
Wandered in passions diverse ways.
the kings of truth are the prophets.
United in truth, diverse in means,
لَهُمُfor them الحُبُّlove خالِصاًunalloyed مِنfrom رَعاياsubjects (continues)
لَهُمُ الحُبُّ خالِصاً مِن رَعايا
هُمtheir (attached completion) وَكُلُّand all الهَوىaffection لَهُمfor them وَالوَلاءُand allegiance
هُم وَكُلُّ الهَوى لَهُم وَالوَلاءُ
Their subjects give them love unalloyed,
Until came whom all means lead.
and all affection and allegiance are theirs.
Light dawned upon the worlds when promised
إِنَّماonly يُنكِرُdeny الدِياناتِreligions قَومٌpeople
إِنَّما يُنكِرُ الدِياناتِ قَومٌ
هُمthey بِماthrough what يُنكِرونَهُthey deny أَشقِياءُwretched
هُم بِما يُنكِرونَهُ أَشقِياءُ
Only those deny religions
Ahmad, the unlettered, the chosen.
who are made wretched by what they deny.
The orphan prophesied, the illiterate sent,
هَرِمَتgrew old دَولَةُthe empire of القَياصِرِthe Caesars وَالدَولاتُand empires
هَرِمَت دَولَةُ القَياصِرِ وَالدَولاتُ
كَالناسِlike people داؤُهُنَّtheir malady الفَناءُextinction
كَالناسِ داؤُهُنَّ الفَناءُ
The empire of the Caesars grew old; empires
To him came the sciences and names.
are like people: their malady is extinction.
Minds obeyed, souls submitted to him,
لَيسَnot تُغنيavail عَنهاthem البِلادُthe lands وَلاnor the wealth of مالُwealth
لَيسَ تُغني عَنها البِلادُ وَلا مالُ
الأَقاليمِthe provinces إِنif أَتاهاreaches them النِداءُthe summons
الأَقاليمِ إِن أَتاها النِداءُ
Neither lands nor the wealth
As
of provinces avail them when the summons comes.
نالَbefell روماRome ماwhat نالَbefell مِنfrom قَبلُbefore آثيناAthens
نالَ روما ما نالَ مِن قَبلُ آثينا
وَسيمَتهُand was subjected to it ثَيبَةُThebes العَصماءُthe impregnable
وَسيمَتهُ ثَيبَةُ العَصماءُ
Rome suffered what Athens had suffered before,
and impregnable Thebes was subjected to it.
سُنَّةُthe law of اللَهِGod فيfor المَمالِكِkingdoms مِنfrom قَبلُbefore
سُنَّةُ اللَهِ في المَمالِكِ مِن قَبلُ
وَمِنand from بَعدِafter ماnot لِنُعمىfor any blessing بَقاءُendurance
وَمِن بَعدِ ما لِنُعمى بَقاءُ
God's law for kingdoms, before
and after: no blessing endures.
أَظلَمَgrew dark الشَرقُthe East بَعدَafter قَيصَرَCaesar وَالغَربُand the West
أَظلَمَ الشَرقُ بَعدَ قَيصَرَ وَالغَربُ
وَعَمَّand enveloped البَرِيَّةَmankind الإِدجاءُdarkness
وَعَمَّ البَرِيَّةَ الإِدجاءُ
After Caesar, East and West darkened,
and darkness enveloped mankind.
فَالوَرىso mankind فيin ضَلالِهِits error مُتَمادٍpersisting
فَالوَرى في ضَلالِهِ مُتَمادٍ
يَفتُكُravages الجَهلُignorance فيهِwithin it وَالجُهَلاءُand the ignorant
يَفتُكُ الجَهلُ فيهِ وَالجُهَلاءُ
Humanity persisted in its error;
ignorance and the ignorant ravaged it.
عَرَّفَconceived اللَهَGod ضِلَّةًin error فَهوَso He شَخصٌa person
عَرَّفَ اللَهَ ضِلَّةً فَهوَ شَخصٌ
أَوor شِهابٌa meteor أَوor صَخرَةٌa rock صَمّاءُunyielding
أَو شِهابٌ أَو صَخرَةٌ صَمّاءُ
In error it conceived God as a person,
or a meteor, or an unyielding rock.
وَتَوَلّىand took possession عَلىof النُفوسِsouls هَوىthe love of الأَوثانِidols
وَتَوَلّى عَلى النُفوسِ هَوى الأَوثانِ
حَتّىuntil اِنتَهَتcame finally لَهُto it الأَهواءُdesires
حَتّى اِنتَهَت لَهُ الأَهواءُ
Love of idols took possession of souls
until all desires came to it.
فَرَأىthen willed اللَهُGod أَنthat تُطَهَّرَbe purified بِالسَيفِby the sword
فَرَأى اللَهُ أَن تُطَهَّرَ بِالسَيفِ
وَأَنand that تَغسِلَwash away الخَطاياsins الدِماءُblood
وَأَن تَغسِلَ الخَطايا الدِماءُ
God willed that they should be purified by the sword,
and that blood should wash away sins.
وَكَذاكَand such are النُفوسُsouls وَهيَwhen they مِراضٌsick
وَكَذاكَ النُفوسُ وَهيَ مِراضٌ
بَعضُsome أَعضائِهاof their limbs لِبَعضٍfor others فِداءُa sacrifice
بَعضُ أَعضائِها لِبَعضٍ فِداءُ
Such are souls when they are sick:
some of their limbs are sacrificed for others.
لَمnot يُعادِbore enmity toward اللَهُGod العَبيدَthe servants وَلَكِنbut
لَم يُعادِ اللَهُ العَبيدَ وَلَكِن
شَقِيَتsuffered بِالغَباوَةِthrough foolishness الأَغبِياءُthe foolish
شَقِيَت بِالغَباوَةِ الأَغبِياءُ
God did not bear His servants enmity, but
the foolish suffered through foolishness.
وَإِذاand when جَلَّتِgrew great الذُنوبُsins وَهالَتand became terrible
وَإِذا جَلَّتِ الذُنوبُ وَهالَت
فَمِنَthen part of العَدلِjustice أَنthat يَهولَbe terrible الجَزاءُthe recompense
فَمِنَ العَدلِ أَن يَهولَ الجَزاءُ
When sins grow great and terrible,
justice requires a terrible recompense.
أَشرَقَshone النورُlight فيthroughout العَوالِمِthe worlds لَمّاwhen
أَشرَقَ النورُ في العَوالِمِ لَمّا
بَشَّرَتهاannounced to them بِأَحمَدَAhmad الأَنباءُthe tidings
بَشَّرَتها بِأَحمَدَ الأَنباءُ
Light shone throughout the worlds when
tidings announced Ahmad to them:
بِاليَتيمِthe orphan الأُمِّيِّthe unlettered وَالبَشَرِand the mortal الموreceiving revelation (beginning)
بِاليَتيمِ الأُمِّيِّ وَالبَشَرِ المو
حىreceiving revelation (completion) إِلَيهِto him العُلومُknowledge وَالأَسماءُand names
حى إِلَيهِ العُلومُ وَالأَسماءُ
the orphan, the unlettered man, the mortal
to whom knowledge and names were revealed.
قُوَّةُthe power of اللَهِGod إِنif تَوَلَّتtakes under its care ضَعيفاًa weak man
قُوَّةُ اللَهِ إِن تَوَلَّت ضَعيفاً
تَعِبَتgrew weary فيin مِراسِهِcontending with him الأَقوِياءُthe strong
تَعِبَت في مِراسِهِ الأَقوِياءُ
If God's power takes a weak man under its care,
the strong grow weary contending with him.
أَشرَفُthe noblest of المُرسَلينَthe messengers آيَتُهُhis sign النُطقُspeech
أَشرَفُ المُرسَلينَ آيَتُهُ النُطقُ
مُبيناًclearly expressed وَقَومُهُand his people الفُصَحاءُthe eloquent
مُبيناً وَقَومُهُ الفُصَحاءُ
Noblest of the messengers, his sign was speech
made clear, and his people were eloquent.
لَمnot يَفُهuttered بِالنَوابِغِthe extraordinary utterances الغُرِّthe radiant حَتّىuntil
لَم يَفُه بِالنَوابِغِ الغُرِّ حَتّى
سَبَقَoutran الخَلقَall people نَحوَهُtoward him البُلَغاءُthe masters of eloquence
سَبَقَ الخَلقَ نَحوَهُ البُلَغاءُ
He had scarcely spoken those radiant marvels
when the eloquent outran all others to him.
وَأَتَتهُand came to him العُقولُminds مُنقادَةَsubmissive اللُببِthe breast-straps
وَأَتَتهُ العُقولُ مُنقادَةَ اللُببِ
وَلَبّىand answered الأَعوانُhelpers وَالنُصَراءُand supporters
وَلَبّى الأَعوانُ وَالنُصَراءُ
Minds came to him with their reins submissive,
and helpers and supporters answered the call.
جاءَcame لِلناسِto people وَالسَرائِرُwhile inner lives فَوضىin disorder
جاءَ لِلناسِ وَالسَرائِرُ فَوضى
لَمnot يُؤَلِّفunited شَتاتُهُنّtheir scattered parts لِواءُany banner
لَم يُؤَلِّف شَتاتُهُنّ لِواءُ
He came to people whose inner lives were in disorder;
no banner had united their scattered parts.
وَحِمىand the sanctuary of اللَهُGod مُستَباحٌviolated وَشَرعُand the law of اللَهِGod
وَحِمى اللَهُ مُستَباحٌ وَشَرعُ اللَهِ
وَالحَقُّand truth وَالصَوابُand right وَراءُbehind
وَالحَقُّ وَالصَوابُ وَراءُ
God's sanctuary was violated, and God's law,
truth, and right were left behind.
فَلِجِبريلَso Gabriel has جَيئَةٌa coming وَرَواحٌand a going
فَلِجِبريلَ جَيئَةٌ وَرَواحٌ
وَهُبوطٌand a descent إِلىto الثَرىearth وَاِرتِقاءُand an ascent
وَهُبوطٌ إِلى الثَرى وَاِرتِقاءُ
Gabriel came and went,
descending to earth and ascending.
يُحسَبُis thought الأُفقُthe horizon فيin جَناحَيهِhis two wings نورٌlight
يُحسَبُ الأُفقُ في جَناحَيهِ نورٌ
سُلِبَتهُwere robbed of it النُجومُthe stars وَالجَوزاءُand Orion
سُلِبَتهُ النُجومُ وَالجَوزاءُ
A light seems to fill the horizon in his wings,
a light stolen from the stars and Orion.
تِلكَthose آيُthe verses of الفُرقانِthe Furqan أَرسَلَهاsent them اللَهُGod
تِلكَ آيُ الفُرقانِ أَرسَلَها اللَهُ
ضِياءًas light يَهديHe guides بِهِby it مَنwhomever يَشاءُHe wills
ضِياءً يَهدي بِهِ مَن يَشاءُ
Those are the verses of the Furqan, sent by God
as light by which He guides whom He wills.
نَسَخَتsuperseded سُنَّةَthe way of النَبِيّينَthe prophets وَالرُسلِand the messengers
نَسَخَت سُنَّةَ النَبِيّينَ وَالرُسلِ
كَماas يَنسَخُsupersedes الضِياءَlight الضِياءُlight
كَما يَنسَخُ الضِياءَ الضِياءُ
They superseded the way of prophets and messengers,
as light supersedes light.
وَحَماهاand protected them غُرٌّradiant men كِرامٌnoble أَشِدّاءُstern
وَحَماها غُرٌّ كِرامٌ أَشِدّاءُ
عَلىtoward الخَصمِthe enemy بَينَهُمamong themselves رُحَماءُcompassionate
عَلى الخَصمِ بَينَهُم رُحَماءُ
Radiant, noble men protected them, stern
toward the enemy, compassionate among themselves.
أُمَّةٌa nation يَنتَهيreaches its culmination البَيانُeloquence إِلَيهاin it
أُمَّةٌ يَنتَهي البَيانُ إِلَيها
وَتَؤولُand return العُلومُsciences وَالعُلَماءُand scholars
وَتَؤولُ العُلومُ وَالعُلَماءُ
A nation to which eloquence reaches its culmination,
and to which sciences and scholars return.
جازَتِpassed beyond النَجمَthe star وَاِطمَأَنَّتand settled securely بِأُفقٍin a horizon
جازَتِ النَجمَ وَاِطمَأَنَّت بِأُفقٍ
مُطمَئِنٍّdwelling secure بِهِwithin it السَناradiance وَالسَناءُand splendor
مُطمَئِنٍّ بِهِ السَنا وَالسَناءُ
It passed beyond the star and settled in a horizon
where radiance and splendor dwell secure.
كُلَّماwhenever حَثَّتِit urged الرِكابَthe mounts لِأَرضٍtoward a land
كُلَّما حَثَّتِ الرِكابَ لِأَرضٍ
جاوَرَdwelt beside الرُشدُright guidance أَهلَهاits people وَالذَكاءُand intelligence
جاوَرَ الرُشدُ أَهلَها وَالذَكاءُ
Whenever it urged its mounts toward a land,
right guidance and intelligence dwelt with its people.
وَعَلاand rose الحَقُّtruth بَينَهُمamong them وَسَماand was exalted الفَضلُvirtue
وَعَلا الحَقُّ بَينَهُم وَسَما الفَضلُ
وَنالَتand received حُقوقَهاtheir rights الضُعَفاءُthe weak
وَنالَت حُقوقَها الضُعَفاءُ
Truth rose among them, and virtue was exalted;
the weak received their rights.
تَحمِلُcarries النَجمَthe star وَالوَسيلَةَand the means وَالميand the balance (beginning)
تَحمِلُ النَجمَ وَالوَسيلَةَ وَالمي
زانَbalance (completion) مِنfrom دينِهاits faith إِلىto مَنwhomever تَشاءُit wills
زانَ مِن دينِها إِلى مَن تَشاءُ
It carries the star, the means, and the balance
of its faith to whomever it wills.
وَتُنيلُand grants الوُجودَexistence مِنهُfrom it نِظاماًan order
وَتُنيلُ الوُجودَ مِنهُ نِظاماً
هُوَit طِبُّthe medicine of الوُجودِexistence وَهوَand it الدَواءُthe cure
هُوَ طِبُّ الوُجودِ وَهوَ الدَواءُ
From it, it grants existence an order
that is existence's medicine and its cure.
يَرجِعُreturn الناسُpeople وَالعُصورُand ages إِلىto ماسَنَّwhat it ordained
يَرجِعُ الناسُ وَالعُصورُ إِلى ماسَنَّ
وَالجاحِدونَand deniers وَالأَعداءُand enemies
وَالجاحِدونَ وَالأَعداءُ
People and ages return to what it ordained,
deniers and enemies too.
فيهِwithin it ماwhat تَشتَهيdesire العَزائِمُresolute wills إِنif هَممَresolve
فيهِ ما تَشتَهي العَزائِمُ إِن هَممَ
ذَووهاtheir possessors وَيَشتَهيand desire الأَذكِياءُthe intelligent
ذَووها وَيَشتَهي الأَذكِياءُ
In it is what resolute wills desire, when
their possessors resolve, and what the intelligent desire.
فَلِمَنso for whoever حاوَلَseeks النَعيمَbliss نَعيمٌbliss
فَلِمَن حاوَلَ النَعيمَ نَعيمٌ
وَلِمَنand for whoever آثَرَchooses الشَقاءَmisery شَقاءُmisery
وَلِمَن آثَرَ الشَقاءَ شَقاءُ
For whoever seeks bliss, there is bliss;
for whoever chooses misery, there is misery.
أَيَرىdo they see العُجمُforeigners مِنamong بَنيthe children of الظِلِّshade وَالماءِand water
أَيَرى العُجمُ مِن بَني الظِلِّ وَالماءِ
عَجيباًa strange thing أَنthat تُنجِبَbring forth offspring البَيداءُthe desert
عَجيباً أَن تُنجِبَ البَيداءُ
Do foreigners, children of shade and water, find
it strange that the desert should be fruitful?
وَتُثيرُand rouse الخِيامُthe tents آسادَlions of هَيجاءَbattle
وَتُثيرُ الخِيامُ آسادَ هَيجاءَ
تَراهاsees them آسادَهاas its lions الهَيجاءُbattle
تَراها آسادَها الهَيجاءُ
And that tents should rouse lions of battle,
whom battle sees as its own lions?
ماscarcely أَنافَتrose above عَلىover السَواعِدِthe forearms حَتّىwhen الأَرضُthe earth
ما أَنافَت عَلى السَواعِدِ حَتّى الأَرضُ
طُرّاًentirely فيin أَسرِهاtheir captivity وَالفَضاءُand the heavens
طُرّاً في أَسرِها وَالفَضاءُ
They had scarcely risen above the forearms when the earth
in its entirety, and the heavens, were their captives.
تَشهَدُbear witness الصينُChina وَالبِحارُand the seas وَبَغدادُand Baghdad
تَشهَدُ الصينُ وَالبِحارُ وَبَغدادُ
وَمِصرٌand Egypt وَالغَربُand the West وَالحَمراءُand the Alhambra
وَمِصرٌ وَالغَربُ وَالحَمراءُ
China, the seas, and Baghdad bear witness,
and Egypt, the West, and the Alhambra.
مَنwho كَعَمرِوlike Amr of البِلادِthe lands وَالضادُand Arabic مِمّاamong what
مَن كَعَمرِو البِلادِ وَالضادُ مِمّا
شادَhe built فيهاin them وَالمِلَّةُand the faith الغَرّاءُthe radiant
شادَ فيها وَالمِلَّةُ الغَرّاءُ
Who compares with Amr of these lands? Arabic is among what
he built there, and the radiant faith.
شادَraised لِلمُسلِمينَfor the Muslims رُكناًa stronghold جَساماًmighty
شادَ لِلمُسلِمينَ رُكناً جَساماً
ضافِيَample in الظِلِّshade دَأبُهُits habit الإيواءُgiving refuge
ضافِيَ الظِلِّ دَأبُهُ الإيواءُ
He raised for the Muslims a mighty stronghold,
with ample shade, ever offering refuge.
طالَماlong قامَتِstood الخِلافَةُthe caliphate فيهِwithin it
طالَما قامَتِ الخِلافَةُ فيهِ
فَاِطمَأَنَّتso it found security وَقامَتِand ruled الخُلَفاءُthe caliphs
فَاِطمَأَنَّت وَقامَتِ الخُلَفاءُ
Long did the caliphate stand within it,
finding security, and the caliphs ruled.
وَاِنتَهىand turned الدينُthe faith بِالرَجاءِin hope إِلَيهِto it
وَاِنتَهى الدينُ بِالرَجاءِ إِلَيهِ
وَبَنوand the children of الدينِthe faith إِذwhen هُمُthey ضُعَفاءُweak
وَبَنو الدينِ إِذ هُمُ ضُعَفاءُ
The faith turned to it in hope,
and the faith's children when they were weak.
مَنwhoever يَصُنهُguards it يَصُنguards بَقِيَّةَa remnant of عِزٍّglory
مَن يَصُنهُ يَصُن بَقِيَّةَ عِزٍّ
غَيَّضَdrained التُركُthe Turks صَفوَهُits purity وَالثَواءُand lingering
غَيَّضَ التُركُ صَفوَهُ وَالثَواءُ
Whoever guards it guards a remnant of glory
whose purity the Turks and their lingering drained.
فَاِبكِso mourn عَمَراًUmar إِنif كُنتَyou are مُنصِفَdoing justice to عَمروAmr
فَاِبكِ عَمَراً إِن كُنتَ مُنصِفَ عَمرو
إِنَّindeed عُمَراًUmar لَنَيِّرٌtruly luminous وَضّاءُradiant
إِنَّ عُمَراً لَنَيِّرٌ وَضّاءُ
Mourn Umar, if you would do Amr justice;
for Umar is indeed luminous and radiant.
جادَgenerously gave لِلمُسلِمينَto the Muslims بِالنيلِthe Nile وَالنيلُand the Nile
جادَ لِلمُسلِمينَ بِالنيلِ وَالنيلُ
لِمَنfor whoever يَقتَنيهِpossesses it أَفريقاءُAfrica
لِمَن يَقتَنيهِ أَفريقاءُ
He generously gave the Muslims the Nile; the Nile
is Africa for whoever possesses it.
فَهيَso it تَعلوrises شَأناًin stature إِذاwhen حُرِّرَis freed النيلُthe Nile
فَهيَ تَعلو شَأناً إِذا حُرِّرَ النيلُ
وَفيand in رِقِّهِits bondage لَهاfor it إِزراءُabasement
وَفي رِقِّهِ لَها إِزراءُ
For it rises in stature when the Nile is freed;
in its bondage lies abasement for it.
وَاِذكُرِand remember الغُرَّthe illustrious آلَthe House of أَيّوبَAyyub وَاِمدَحand praise
وَاِذكُرِ الغُرَّ آلَ أَيّوبَ وَاِمدَح
فَمِنَfor part of المَدحِpraise لِلرِجالِfor men جَزاءُreward
فَمِنَ المَدحِ لِلرِجالِ جَزاءُ
Remember the illustrious House of Ayyub, and praise:
praise is part of men's reward.
هُمthey حُماةُthe defenders of الإِسلامِIslam وَالنَفَرُand the company البيضُthe radiant
هُم حُماةُ الإِسلامِ وَالنَفَرُ البيضُ
المُلوكُthe kings الأَعِزَّةُthe mighty الصُلَحاءُthe righteous
المُلوكُ الأَعِزَّةُ الصُلَحاءُ
They are Islam's defenders, the radiant company,
the mighty, righteous kings.
كُلَّevery يَومٍday بِالصالِحِيَّةِat al-Salihiyya حِصنٌa fortress
كُلَّ يَومٍ بِالصالِحِيَّةِ حِصنٌ
وَبِبُلبَيسَand at Bilbays قَلعَةٌa citadel شَمّاءُlofty
وَبِبُلبَيسَ قَلعَةٌ شَمّاءُ
Each day, a fortress at al-Salihiyya,
and a lofty citadel at Bilbays.
وَبِمِصرٍand in Egypt لِلعِلمِfor learning دارٌa house وَلِلضَيand for guests (beginning)
وَبِمِصرٍ لِلعِلمِ دارٌ وَلِلضَي
فانِguests (completion) نارٌa fire عَظيمَةٌmighty حَمراءُcrimson
فانِ نارٌ عَظيمَةٌ حَمراءُ
In Egypt, a house for learning; for guests,
a mighty crimson fire.
وَلِأَعداءِand for the enemies of آلِthe House of أَيّوبَAyyub قَتلٌdeath
وَلِأَعداءِ آلِ أَيّوبَ قَتلٌ
وَلِأَسراهُمُand for their captives قِرىًhospitality وَثَواءُand shelter
وَلِأَسراهُمُ قِرىً وَثَواءُ
For the House of Ayyub's enemies, death;
for their captives, hospitality and shelter.
يَعرِفُknows الدينُthe faith مَنwho صَلاحٌSalah وَيَدريand knows
يَعرِفُ الدينُ مَن صَلاحٌ وَيَدري
مَنwho هُوَhe المَسجِدانِthe two mosques وَالإِسراءُand the Night Journey
مَن هُوَ المَسجِدانِ وَالإِسراءُ
The faith knows who Salah is, and
the two mosques and the Night Journey know him.
إِنَّهُindeed he حِصنُهُits stronghold الَّذيwhich كانَwas حِصناًa stronghold
إِنَّهُ حِصنُهُ الَّذي كانَ حِصناً
وَحُماهُand its sanctuary الَّذيwhich بِهِwithin it الاِحتِماءُshelter
وَحُماهُ الَّذي بِهِ الاِحتِماءُ
He was its stronghold, that was indeed a stronghold,
and its sanctuary in which shelter was found.
يَومَthe day سارَmarched الصَليبُthe cross وَالحامِلوهُand its bearers
يَومَ سارَ الصَليبُ وَالحامِلوهُ
وَمَشىand advanced الغَربُthe West قَومُهُits people وَالنِساءُand the women
وَمَشى الغَربُ قَومُهُ وَالنِساءُ
The day the cross and its bearers marched,
and the West advanced, its men and women,
بِنُفوسٍwith souls تَجولُroam فيهاwithin them الأَمانيambitions
بِنُفوسٍ تَجولُ فيها الأَماني
وَقُلوبٍand hearts تَثورُseethes فيهاwithin them الدِماءُblood
وَقُلوبٍ تَثورُ فيها الدِماءُ
with souls in which ambitions roamed,
and hearts in which blood seethed.
يُضمِرونَharbor الدَمارَdestruction لِلحَقِّfor truth وَالناسِand people
يُضمِرونَ الدَمارَ لِلحَقِّ وَالناسِ
وَدينِand the faith of الَّذينَthose who بِالحَقِّwith truth جاؤواcame
وَدينِ الَّذينَ بِالحَقِّ جاؤوا
They harbored destruction for truth and people,
and the faith of those who came with truth.
وَيَهُدّونَand demolish بِالتِلاوَةِwith recitation وَالصُلand crosses (beginning)
وَيَهُدّونَ بِالتِلاوَةِ وَالصُل
بانِcrosses (completion) ماwhat شادَraised بِالقَناwith spears البَنّاءُthe builder
بانِ ما شادَ بِالقَنا البَنّاءُ
With recitation and crosses they demolished
what the builder had raised with spears.
فَتَلَقَّتهُمُthen met them عَزائِمُresolves of صِدقٍtrue purpose
فَتَلَقَّتهُمُ عَزائِمُ صِدقٍ
نُصَّwas erected لِلدينِfor the faith بَينَهُنَّamong them خِباءُa tent
نُصَّ لِلدينِ بَينَهُنَّ خِباءُ
Resolves of true purpose met them;
a tent for the faith was raised among them.
مَزَّقَتscattered جَمعَهُمtheir host عَلىupon كُلِّevery أَرضٍland
مَزَّقَت جَمعَهُم عَلى كُلِّ أَرضٍ
مِثلَماas مَزَّقَscattered الظَلامَdarkness الضِياءُlight
مِثلَما مَزَّقَ الظَلامَ الضِياءُ
They scattered their host upon every land,
as light scatters darkness.
وَسَبَتand captured أَمرَدَthe beardless one of المُلوكِthe kings فَرَدَّتهُthen sent him back
وَسَبَت أَمرَدَ المُلوكِ فَرَدَّتهُ
وَماand not فيهِin him لِلرَعاياfor the subjects رَجاءُhope
وَما فيهِ لِلرَعايا رَجاءُ
They captured the beardless king and sent him back,
with no hope in him left for his subjects.
وَلَوand if أَنَّindeed المَليكَthe king هيبَwas feared أَذاهُhis harm
وَلَو أَنَّ المَليكَ هيبَ أَذاهُ
لَمnot يُخَلِّصهُwould have saved him مِنfrom أَذاهاtheir harm الفِداءُransom
لَم يُخَلِّصهُ مِن أَذاها الفِداءُ
Had harm from that king been feared,
ransom would not have saved him from their harm.
هَكَذاsuch were المُسلِمونَthe Muslims وَالعَرَبُand the Arabs الخالونَof old
هَكَذا المُسلِمونَ وَالعَرَبُ الخالونَ
لاnot ماwhat يَقولُهُsay الأَعداءُthe enemies
لا ما يَقولُهُ الأَعداءُ
Such were the Muslims and Arabs of old,
not what enemies say.
فَبِهِمso through them فيin الزَمانِtime نِلناwe mastered اللَياليthe nights
فَبِهِم في الزَمانِ نِلنا اللَيالي
وَبِهِمand through them فيamong الوَرىmankind لَناwe have أَنباءُrenown
وَبِهِم في الوَرى لَنا أَنباءُ
Through them, in time, we mastered the nights;
through them we have renown among mankind.
لَيسَnot لِلذُلِّfor humiliation حيلَةٌany power فيover نُفوسٍsouls
لَيسَ لِلذُلِّ حيلَةٌ في نُفوسٍ
يَستَويare equal المَوتُdeath عِندَهاto them وَالبَقاءُand survival
يَستَوي المَوتُ عِندَها وَالبَقاءُ
Humiliation has no power over souls
to which death and survival are equal.
وَاِذكُرِand remember التُركَthe Turks إِنَّهُمindeed they لَمnot يُطاعواwere obeyed
وَاِذكُرِ التُركَ إِنَّهُم لَم يُطاعوا
فَيَرىso might judge الناسُpeople أَحسَنواthey did good أَمor أَساؤواthey did ill
فَيَرى الناسُ أَحسَنوا أَم أَساؤوا
Remember the Turks: they were not obeyed,
so people might judge whether they did good or ill.
حَكَمَتruled دَولَةُthe dynasty of الجَراكِسِthe Circassians عَنهُمُin their stead
حَكَمَت دَولَةُ الجَراكِسِ عَنهُمُ
وَهيَand it فيin الدَهرِhistory دَولَةٌa dynasty عَسراءُill-fated
وَهيَ في الدَهرِ دَولَةٌ عَسراءُ
The Circassians' dynasty ruled in their stead;
it was an ill-fated dynasty in history.
وَاِستَبَدَّتand seized absolute control بِالأَمرِof authority مِنهُمfrom them فَباشاso the pasha of
وَاِستَبَدَّت بِالأَمرِ مِنهُم فَباشا
التُركِthe Turks فيin مِصرَEgypt آلَةٌan instrument صَمّاءُmute
التُركِ في مِصرَ آلَةٌ صَمّاءُ
It seized authority from them; the pasha
of the Turks in Egypt was a mute instrument.
يَأخُذُreceives المالَmoney مِنthrough مَواعيدَpledges ماnot كانواthey were
يَأخُذُ المالَ مِن مَواعيدَ ما كانوا
لَهاof them مُنجِزينَfulfillers فَهيَso they هَباءُdust
لَها مُنجِزينَ فَهيَ هَباءُ
He received money through pledges they never
fulfilled; they were dust.
وَيَسومونَهُand compel him الرِضاto assent بِأُمورٍto matters
وَيَسومونَهُ الرِضا بِأُمورٍ
لَيسَnot يَرضىwould approve أَقَلَّهُنَّthe least of them الرَضاءُassent
لَيسَ يَرضى أَقَلَّهُنَّ الرَضاءُ
They compelled his assent to matters
whose least detail assent itself would not approve.
فَيُداريso he humors لِيَعصِمَto safeguard الغَدَtomorrow مِنهُمagainst them
فَيُداري لِيَعصِمَ الغَدَ مِنهُم
وَالمُداراةُand tactful accommodation حِكمَةٌwisdom وَدَهاءُand cunning
وَالمُداراةُ حِكمَةٌ وَدَهاءُ
So he humored them, to guard tomorrow against them;
tactful accommodation is wisdom and cunning.
وَأَتىand came النَسرُthe eagle يَنهَبُplundering الأَرضَthe land نَهباًa plundering
وَأَتى النَسرُ يَنهَبُ الأَرضَ نَهباً
حَولَهُaround him قَومُهُhis people النُسورُthe eagles ظِماءُthirsty
حَولَهُ قَومُهُ النُسورُ ظِماءُ
The eagle came, plundering the land,
surrounded by his people, thirsty eagles.
يَشتَهيcovets النيلَthe Nile أَنto يُشيدَraise عَلَيهِupon it
يَشتَهي النيلَ أَن يُشيدَ عَلَيهِ
دَولَةًan empire عَرضُهاits span الثَرىthe earth وَالسَماءُand the sky
دَولَةً عَرضُها الثَرى وَالسَماءُ
He coveted the Nile, to raise upon it
an empire spanning earth and sky.
حَلُمَتdreamed رومَةٌRome بِهاof it فيthrough اللَياليthe nights
حَلُمَت رومَةٌ بِها في اللَيالي
وَرَآهاand envisioned it القَياصِرُthe Caesars الأَقوِياءُthe mighty
وَرَآها القَياصِرُ الأَقوِياءُ
Rome dreamed of it through the nights,
and the mighty Caesars envisioned it.
فَأَتَتthen came مِصرَto Egypt رُسلُهُمtheir envoys تَتَوالىin succession
فَأَتَت مِصرَ رُسلُهُم تَتَوالى
وَتَرامَتand flocked سودانَهاto her Sudan العُلَماءُthe scholars
وَتَرامَت سودانَها العُلَماءُ
Their envoys came to Egypt in succession,
and scholars flocked to her Sudan.
وَلَوِand if اِستَشهَدَasked to bear witness الفَرَنسيسُthe French روماRome
وَلَوِ اِستَشهَدَ الفَرَنسيسُ روما
لَأَتَتهُمwould have reached them مِنfrom رومَةَRome الأَنباءُtidings
لَأَتَتهُم مِن رومَةَ الأَنباءُ
Had the French asked Rome to bear witness,
tidings would have come to them from Rome.
عَلِمَتlearned كُلُّevery دَولَةٍstate قَدthat once تَوَلَّتruled
عَلِمَت كُلُّ دَولَةٍ قَد تَوَلَّت
أَنَّناthat we سُمُّهاits poison وَأَنّاand that we الوَباءُthe plague
أَنَّنا سُمُّها وَأَنّا الوَباءُ
Every state that once ruled has learned
that we are its poison, that we are its plague.
قاهِرُthe conqueror of العَصرِthe age وَالمَمالِكِand kingdoms نابِلNapo- (Napoleon)
قاهِرُ العَصرِ وَالمَمالِكِ نابِل
يونُ-leon (Napoleon) وَلَّتturned and fled قُوّادُهُhis commanders الكُبَراءُthe great
يونُ وَلَّت قُوّادُهُ الكُبَراءُ
Napoleon, conqueror of the age and kingdoms—
his great commanders turned and fled.
جاءَcame طَيشاًrecklessly وَراحَand departed طَيشاًrecklessly وَمِنand from قَبلُbefore
جاءَ طَيشاً وَراحَ طَيشاً وَمِن قَبلُ
أَطاشَتbewildered أُناسَهاits people العَلياءُhigh ambition
أَطاشَت أُناسَها العَلياءُ
He came recklessly and departed recklessly; before him,
high ambition had bewildered its people.
سَكَتَتremained silent عَنهُtoward him يَومَwhen عَيَّرَهاhe taunted them الأَهرامُthe pyramids
سَكَتَت عَنهُ يَومَ عَيَّرَها الأَهرامُ
لَكِنbut سُكوتُهاtheir silence اِستِهزاءُmockery
لَكِن سُكوتُها اِستِهزاءُ
The pyramids were silent when he taunted them,
but their silence was mockery.
فَهيَso they توحيwhisper إِلَيهِto him أَنthat تِلكَthat is واتِرلوWaterloo
فَهيَ توحي إِلَيهِ أَن تِلكَ واتِرلو
فَأَينَthen where الجُيوشُthe armies أَينَwhere اللِواءُthe banner
فَأَينَ الجُيوشُ أَينَ اللِواءُ
They whisper to him: 'There lies Waterloo;
where are the armies? Where is the banner?'
Partial English translation: 371 of 528 Arabic lines translated.