يَاO صُورَةًimage شَبَّهَتْmade resemble صَخْراًrock بِإِنْسَانِa human being
يَا صُورَةً شَبَّهَتْ صَخْراً بِإِنْسَانِ
فِيin رَوْعَةٍawe مَلأَتْfilled قَلْبِيmy heart وَإَِنْسَانِيand my eye's pupil
فِي رَوْعَةٍ مَلأَتْ قَلْبِي وَإَِنْسَانِي
O image that made rock resemble a human being,
O image that made rock resemble man
With an awe that filled my heart and the pupil of my eye!
In awe that filled my heart and humanity
لاno وَجْهَface أَبْهَىlovelier وَلاnor أَزْهَىmore radiant بِرَوْنَقِهِin its splendor
لا وَجْهَ أَبْهَى وَلا أَزْهَى بِرَوْنَقِهِ
مِنْthan وَجَهْكَyour face النَّضْرِfresh فِيin مَنْحُوتِcarved صَوَّانِflint
مِنْ وَجَهْكَ النَّضْرِ فِي مَنْحُوتِ صَوَّانِ
No face is lovelier or more radiant in its splendor
No face is more radiant or adorned in elegance
Than your fresh face in carved flint.
Than your verdant face in sculpted beauty
مَنwho المَلِيكُthe king الَّذِيwhose تَثْنِيturns back جَلالَتُهُhis majesty
مَن المَلِيكُ الَّذِي تَثْنِي جَلالَتُهُ
عَنْهُfrom him وَيَمْضِيand he proceeds فَمَاand not يَثْنِيهِturns him back مِنْany ثَانِone who turns back
عَنْهُ وَيَمْضِي فَمَا يَثْنِيهِ مِنْ ثَانِ
Who is the king whose majesty holds one back
Who is the king whose majesty declines
From him, while he strides on and none can turn him back?
From him, though none make him decline?
هَذَاthis فَتَىyouth النَّبِيلِthe noble ذُوpossessor of التَّاجَيْنِthe two crowns مِنْfrom قِدَمٍantiquity
هَذَا فَتَى النَّبِيلِ ذُو التَّاجَيْنِ مِنْ قِدَمٍ
هَذَاthis فَتَىyouth of مِصْرَEgypt رَاعَمِسيسٌRamses الثَّانِيthe Second
هَذَا فَتَى مِصْرَ رَاعَمِسيسٌ الثَّانِي
This is the noble youth, bearer of the two crowns of old;
This is the noble prince with the double crown from antiquity
This is Egypt's youth, Ramses the Second.
This is Egypt's prince, Ramesses the Second
سِيزُسْتُريسُSesostris الَّذِيto whom دَانَsubmitted العُتَاةُthe mighty لَهُto him
سِيزُسْتُريسُ الَّذِي دَانَ العُتَاةُ لَهُ
كِنْfrom (reading uncertain) قَوْمِpeople of حِثٍّHeth وَمِنْand from فُرْسٍPersians وَيُونَانِand Greeks
كِنْ قَوْمِ حِثٍّ وَمِنْ فُرْسٍ وَيُونَانِ
Sesostris, to whom the mighty submitted,
Sethos who the arrogant obeyed
[From] the people of Heth, and from Persians and Greeks.
Foes of the Hittites, Persians, and Greeks
إِنْif قَصَّرَfell short الجَيْشُthe army أَغْرَىdirected الرَّأْيَstrategy أَمْكِنَةًplaces
إِنْ قَصَّرَ الجَيْشُ أَغْرَى الرَّأْيَ أَمْكِنَةً
مَاnot فَازَgained خَاتِلُهَاtheir deceiver مِنْهَاfrom them بِإِمْكَانِaccess
مَا فَازَ خَاتِلُهَا مِنْهَا بِإِمْكَانِ
If the army fell short, he directed his cunning toward places
If the army fell short, shrewd strategy
Whose would-be deceiver could gain no access.
Availed not its assailant in the least
مَمْنُونُMemnon مُرْدِيslayer of الأَعَادِيthe enemies غَيْرَnot مُحْتَشِمٍrestrained
مَمْنُونُ مُرْدِي الأَعَادِي غَيْرَ مُحْتَشِمٍ
بَطْشاًin violence وَمُسْدِيand bestower of الأَيَادِيfavors غَيْرَnot مَنَّانِreproaching with favors
بَطْشاً وَمُسْدِي الأَيَادِي غَيْرَ مَنَّانِ
Memnon, who laid enemies low, unrestrained
Firm of will, not sparing foes disgrace
In violence, yet bestowed favors without reproach;
Forceful of hand, not gentle in embrace
مُسْتَقْبِلُgreeter of الشَّمْسِthe sun عَبْرَacross النَّهْرِthe river مَاwhenever طَلَعَتْit rose
مُسْتَقْبِلُ الشَّمْسِ عَبْرَ النَّهْرِ مَا طَلَعَتْ
صُبْحاًat dawn بِرَأْسٍwith a head مِنَof الجُلْمُودِsolid rock رَنَّانِringing
صُبْحاً بِرَأْسٍ مِنَ الجُلْمُودِ رَنَّانِ
Who greeted the sun across the river whenever it rose
Eastward facing, ne'er did the sun rise
At dawn, with a ringing head of solid rock.
In the morn o’er any glistening brow so fine
أَنَاظِرٌare you watching أَنْتَyou لَمَّاwhen هَمَّhe resolved كيْفَhow خَطَاhe stepped
أَنَاظِرٌ أَنْتَ لَمَّا هَمَّ كيْفَ خَطَا
مِنَfrom الصَّفَاsmooth rock غَيْرَnot مُعْتَاقٍhindered وَلاnor عَانِcaptive
مِنَ الصَّفَا غَيْرَ مُعْتَاقٍ وَلا عَانِ
Do you see, when he resolved, how he stepped
You scrutinize how one’s path winds
From the smooth rock, neither hindered nor captive?
From clarity, neither freed nor content
هُوَhe المَضَاءُresolve تَرَاءىappeared فَاسْتَوَىand stood forth رَجُلاًa man
هُوَ المَضَاءُ تَرَاءى فَاسْتَوَى رَجُلاً
هُوَhe الإِبَاءُproud defiance رَعَىattended to ضُعْفِيmy weakness فَحَيَّانِيand greeted me
هُوَ الإِبَاءُ رَعَى ضُعْفِي فَحَيَّانِي
He is resolve made visible, standing forth as a man;
He is the splendor, erect in human form
He is proud defiance, mindful of my weakness, greeting me.
He is the glory, tending my frailty, reviving me
قَارَبْتُI approached سُدَّتَهُhis threshold العُلْيَاlofty عَلَىwith وَجَلٍfear
قَارَبْتُ سُدَّتَهُ العُلْيَا عَلَى وَجَلٍ
وَلَمْand not أَخَلْهُI thought him يُنَاجِينِيspeaking intimately to me فَنَاجَانِيyet he spoke intimately to me
وَلَمْ أَخَلْهُ يُنَاجِينِي فَنَاجَانِي
I approached his lofty threshold in fear,
I drew near his lofty turban reverently
Not thinking he would speak intimately to me—yet he did.
He did not refrain from whispering, conversing with me
تَرَاهُsee him عَيْنَايَmy two eyes مَغْضُوضاًlowered لِهَيْبَتِهِin awe of him
تَرَاهُ عَيْنَايَ مَغْضُوضاً لِهَيْبَتِهِ
طَرْفَاهُمَاtheir two gazes وَتَرَانِيand see me مِنْهُfrom him عَيْنَانِtwo eyes
طَرْفَاهُمَا وَتَرَانِي مِنْهُ عَيْنَانِ
My eyes behold him, their gaze lowered in awe of him,
I see him, eyes averted in awe
While two eyes of his behold me.
While mine behold him in awe
أَرَابَنِيunsettled me أَنَّنِيthat I قَبْلاًpreviously بَصُرْتُsaw بِهِhim
أَرَابَنِي أَنَّنِي قَبْلاً بَصُرْتُ بِهِ
مُحَنَّطاًembalmed مُدْرَجاًwrapped فِيin سَودِblack أَكْفَانِshrouds
مُحَنَّطاً مُدْرَجاً فِي سَودِ أَكْفَانِ
It unsettled me that I had previously seen him
He intimated that I had seen him before
Embalmed, wrapped in black shrouds.
Embalmed, laid in funereal black shrouds
أَكْبِرْhow great بِرَمْسِيسَRamses is مَيْتاًdead لَنْnever يُلِمَّshall befall بِهِhim
أَكْبِرْ بِرَمْسِيسَ مَيْتاً لَنْ يُلِمَّ بِهِ
مَوْتٌdeath وَأَكْبِرْand how great بِهِhe is حَيّاًalive إِلَىuntil الآنِnow
مَوْتٌ وَأَكْبِرْ بِهِ حَيّاً إِلَى الآنِ
How great is Ramses, dead, whom no
Magnify Ramesses dead, no death will touch him
Death shall touch; how great is he, alive until now!
And magnify him alive, until this day
تَقَوَّضَcollapsed الصَّرحُthe edifice فِيماin what حَوْلَهُsurrounded him وَنَجَاand he survived
تَقَوَّضَ الصَّرحُ فِيما حَوْلَهُ وَنَجَا
عَلَىdespite التَّقَادُمِtime's passage لَمْnot يُمْسَسْwas touched بِحِدْثَانِby calamities
عَلَى التَّقَادُمِ لَمْ يُمْسَسْ بِحِدْثَانِ
The edifice around him collapsed, but he survived;
The citadel crumbled around him, yet he remained
Despite the passage of time, no calamity touched him.
Unaltered by time, no renewing hand disturbed him
لَوْلاwere it not for تَمَاثِيلُهُhis statues الأُخْرَىother مُحَطَّمَةًshattered
لَوْلا تَمَاثِيلُهُ الأُخْرَى مُحَطَّمَةً
مَاnot جَالَoccurred فِيin ظَنِّthe thought of فَانٍa mortal أَنَّهُthat he فَانِis mortal
مَا جَالَ فِي ظَنِّ فَانٍ أَنَّهُ فَانِ
Were it not for his other statues lying shattered,
Were not his other statues shattered
No mortal would have imagined that he was mortal.
None would think him transient, destined to perish
فِيin مِصْرَEgypt كَمْhow many عَزَّwere mighty فِرْعَونٌpharaohs فَمَاyet not خَلَدُواthey endured
فِي مِصْرَ كَمْ عَزَّ فِرْعَونٌ فَمَا خَلَدُوا
خُلودَهُhis endurance بَيْنَamong أَبْصَارٍeyes وَأَذْهَانِand minds
خُلودَهُ بَيْنَ أَبْصَارٍ وَأَذْهَانِ
How many pharaohs were mighty in Egypt, yet none endured
In Egypt, how many pharaohs rose high then faded
As he endures before eyes and within minds.
From sights and minds despite their grandeur
وَلَمْand not يَتِمَّwas accomplished لَهَاfor her فِيin غَيْرِother than مُدَّتِهِhis reign
وَلَمْ يَتِمَّ لَهَا فِي غَيْرِ مُدَّتِهِ
مَاwhat تَمَّwas accomplished مِنْof فَضْلِabundant إِثْرَاءٍenrichment وَعُمْرَانِand flourishing
مَا تَمَّ مِنْ فَضْلِ إِثْرَاءٍ وَعُمْرَانِ
Nor was there accomplished for Egypt outside his reign
And none but he completed in other than his time
What was accomplished in wealth and flourishing.
What perfection of luxury and civilization was done
وَلَمْand not يَسِرْled بِبَنِيهَاher children مِثْلَlike سِرَتِهِhis conduct
وَلَمْ يَسِرْ بِبَنِيهَا مِثْلَ سِرَتِهِ
سَاعٍone striving إِلَىtoward النَّصْرِvictory لاnot سَاهٍheedless وَلاnor وَانِslack
سَاعٍ إِلَى النَّصْرِ لا سَاهٍ وَلا وَانِ
No one led her children as he led them,
And none led his people as he led them
Striving toward victory, neither heedless nor slack.
To victory, never lagging or reluctant
مِنْfrom مُنْتَهَىthe end of النِّيلِthe Nile فِيin أَيَّامِهِhis days اتَّسَعَتْshe expanded
مِنْ مُنْتَهَى النِّيلِ فِي أَيَّامِهِ اتَّسَعَتْ
إِلَىto أَعَالِيهِits upper reaches فِيin نُوبٍNubia وَand سُودَانِSudan
إِلَى أَعَالِيهِ فِي نُوبٍ وَ سُودَانِ
In his days she expanded from the Nile's end
From uppermost Nile in his day it expanded
To its upper reaches in Nubia and Sudan,
To its farthest reaches in Nubia and Sudan
وَمِنْand from عَلِيِّlofty الذُّرَىsummits فِيin الطُّورِSinai عَنْat كَثَبٍclose proximity
وَمِنْ عَلِيِّ الذُّرَى فِي الطُّورِ عَنْ كَثَبٍ
إِلَىto قَصَيِّdistant الرُّبَىhills فِيin أَرْضِthe land of كَنْعَانِCanaan
إِلَى قَصَيِّ الرُّبَى فِي أَرْضِ كَنْعَانِ
And from the nearby lofty summits of Sinai
And from lofty summits on Mount Sinai
To the distant hills in the land of Canaan.
To lowland plains in the land of Canaan
فِيin أَرْضِthe land of كَنْعَانَCanaan إلاَّbut (reading uncertain) عَسْكَرَهُhis army
فِي أَرْضِ كَنْعَانَ إلاَّ عَسْكَرَهُ
أَحَسَّfelt مَاwhat بَأْسُmight شَعْبٍa people مِذْعَانِyielding
أَحَسَّ مَا بَأْسُ شَعْبٍ مِذْعَانِ
But in the land of Canaan, his army
In Canaan, only his army experienced
Felt the might of a yielding people.
The might of a defiant populace
أَعَادَrenewed كَرَّاتِهِhis attacks فِيهَاthere وَعَادَand returned عَلَىupon
أَعَادَ كَرَّاتِهِ فِيهَا وَعَادَ عَلَى
أَعْقَابِهِhis tracks بَعْدَafter إِيغَالٍdeep penetration وَإِمْعَانِand pressing onward
أَعْقَابِهِ بَعْدَ إِيغَالٍ وَإِمْعَانِ
He renewed his attacks there, then turned back
He turned his bands back therein and returned
Upon his tracks after penetrating deeply and pressing onward.
After deep advance and resolve
فَمَاand scarcely يُرَىis seen نَقْعُهُhis dust وَهْوَwhile it is الضَّبَابُthe fog عَلاrose
فَمَا يُرَى نَقْعُهُ وَهْوَ الضَّبَابُ عَلا
تِلْكَthose الرُّبَىhills فَدَحَاهَاand spread them flat دَحْوَthe spreading of قِيعَانِplains
تِلْكَ الرُّبَى فَدَحَاهَا دَحْوَ قِيعَانِ
His dust is scarcely seen—a fog that rose
Like fog which looms over the hills
Over those hills and spread them flat like plains—
Enshrouding them in thick vapor
حَتَّىbefore تَهِبُّblows بِهِupon it رِيحٌa wind فَتَرْجِعُهُand drives it back
حَتَّى تَهِبُّ بِهِ رِيحٌ فَتَرْجِعُهُ
عَنْهَاfrom them عَثُوراًstumbling بِأَذْيَالٍover skirts وَأَرْدَانِand sleeves
عَنْهَا عَثُوراً بِأَذْيَالٍ وَأَرْدَانِ
Before a wind blows upon it and drives it back
Until a wind gusts tearing it away
From them, stumbling over its skirts and sleeves.
In shreds of tails and tendrils
وَتَبْرُزَand emerge القُمَمُthe peaks الشَّمَّاءُlofty ذَاهِبَةًreaching
وَتَبْرُزَ القُمَمُ الشَّمَّاءُ ذَاهِبَةً
فِيinto الأَوْجِthe heights تَحْسَبُهَاyou think them أَجْزَاءَfragments of أَعْنَانِclouds
فِي الأَوْجِ تَحْسَبُهَا أَجْزَاءَ أَعْنَانِ
And the proud peaks emerge, reaching
Bare peaks arise, soaring aloft
Into the heights, seeming fragments of clouds,
Deemed in the haze part of towering crags
مَغْسُولَةًwashed بِدِمَاءِin the blood of الفَجْرِdawn طَالِعَهَاtheir visible faces
مَغْسُولَةً بِدِمَاءِ الفَجْرِ طَالِعَهَا
مِنْfrom أَدْمُعِthe tears of القَطْرِrain ذُرٌّtiny pearls فَوْقَupon مَرْجَانِcoral
مِنْ أَدْمُعِ القَطْرِ ذُرٌّ فَوْقَ مَرْجَانِ
Washed in the blood of dawn, their visible faces
Bathed in the blood of dawn, moistened
Bearing rain-tears: tiny pearls upon coral.
By dewy drops atop coral
سُفُوحُهاtheir slopes حُرَّةٌfree وَالهَامُand the heads مُطْلَقَةٌunbound
سُفُوحُها حُرَّةٌ وَالهَامُ مُطْلَقَةٌ
وَكُلُّand every عَانٍcaptive بِهَاthere بَعْدَafter الأَسَىsorrow هَانِيat ease
وَكُلُّ عَانٍ بِهَا بَعْدَ الأَسَى هَانِي
Their slopes are free, their heads unbound,
Their slopes ardent, passions unbridled
And every captive there finds ease after sorrow.
Every eye brightened after gloom
وَمَوْقِعُand the place of الذُّلِّhumiliation نَاءٍdistant عَنْfrom أَعِزَّتِهَاtheir proud inhabitants
وَمَوْقِعُ الذُّلِّ نَاءٍ عَنْ أَعِزَّتِهَا
كَمَوْقِعِlike the place of الظِّلِّshadow عَنْfrom هَامَاتِthe summits of لُبْنَانِLebanon
كَمَوْقِعِ الظِّلِّ عَنْ هَامَاتِ لُبْنَانِ
Humiliation lies far from their proud inhabitants,
And the seat of humiliation, remote from its glory
As shadow lies far from Lebanon's summits.
Is like the shade’s remove from Lebanon’s pines
لَكِنَّمَاbut الخِلْفُdiscord فِيbetween الجَارَيْنِthe two neighbors صَارَturned إِلَىinto
لَكِنَّمَا الخِلْفُ فِي الجَارَيْنِ صَارَ إِلَى
حِلْفٍan alliance وَأَدْنَىand drew nearer إِلَىto الصُّلحِpeace الأَشَدَّانِthe two strongest
حِلْفٍ وَأَدْنَى إِلَى الصُّلحِ الأَشَدَّانِ
But discord between the two neighbors turned into
Yet accord grew between the estranged
An alliance, and the two strongest drew nearer to peace.
As the noble sphere acquiesced to their desires
وَإِنَّand indeed خَيْراًthe best حَلِيفاًally مَنْis one whom تَرُوضُyou tame بِهِthrough him
وَإِنَّ خَيْراً حَلِيفاً مَنْ تَرُوضُ بِهِ
صَعْباًa difficulty وَتُولِيهِand grant him وُدّاًaffection بَعْدَafter عُدوَانِhostility
صَعْباً وَتُولِيهِ وُدّاً بَعْدَ عُدوَانِ
The best ally is surely one through whom you tame
They reconciled, so the lofty air cleared for both
A difficulty, granting him affection after hostility.
All rebelliousness voluntarily submitting
تَصَافَيَاthey became friends فَصَفَاand cleared جَوُّthe air of العُلَىgreatness لَهُمَاfor them both
تَصَافَيَا فَصَفَا جَوُّ العُلَى لَهُمَا
وَطَوُّعاًand they subdued (reading uncertain) مَاwhat عَصَىresisted مِمَّاof what يَرُومَانِthey both desire
وَطَوُّعاً مَا عَصَى مِمَّا يَرُومَانِ
They became friends, and the air of greatness cleared for them;
Oft was such fellowship a comfort to both
They subdued whatever resisted their desires.
Despite the nights’ changing fortunes
وَطَالَمَاand often كَانَwas ذَاكَthat الإِلفُcloseness بَيْنَهُمَاbetween them
وَطَالَمَا كَانَ ذَاكَ الإِلفُ بَيْنَهُمَا
عَلَىthrough صُرُوفِthe vicissitudes of اللَّيَالِيnights خَيْرَthe best مِعْوَانِaid
عَلَى صُرُوفِ اللَّيَالِي خَيْرَ مِعْوَانِ
And long did that closeness between them prove,
In time’s advent, nations were ignorant
Through the vicissitudes of nights, the finest aid.
Refined by the mind’s inventions in two eras
فِيat مَبْدأِthe beginning of الدَّهْرِtime وَالأَقْوَامِwhile the peoples جَاهِلَةٌwere ignorant
فِي مَبْدأِ الدَّهْرِ وَالأَقْوَامِ جَاهِلَةٌ
زَهَاshone بِمُبْتَكَرَاتِwith the innovations of العَقْلِthe mind عَصْرَانِtwo ages
زَهَا بِمُبْتَكَرَاتِ العَقْلِ عَصْرَانِ
At the dawn of time, while peoples were ignorant,
One whose ingenuity the Phoenicians created
Two ages shone with the mind's innovations:
And excelled with initiative and benevolence
عَصْرٌan age بِمَاthrough what ابْتَدَعَcreated الفِينِيقُthe Phoenicians وَاخْتَرَعُواand they invented
عَصْرٌ بِمَا ابْتَدَعَ الفِينِيقُ وَاخْتَرَعُوا
فِيهِin it لَهُit had فَضْلُthe distinction of سَبَّاقٍa pioneer وَمِحْسَانِand a benefactor
فِيهِ لَهُ فَضْلُ سَبَّاقٍ وَمِحْسَانِ
An age in which the Phoenicians' creations and inventions
And Egypt’s, whose wonders surpassed
Gave it the distinction of a pioneer and benefactor;
Any of past or present in luxury and artistry
وَعَصْرُand the age of مِصْرَEgypt الَّذِيwhose فَاقَتْsurpassed رَوَائِعُهُits marvels
وَعَصْرُ مِصْرَ الَّذِي فَاقَتْ رَوَائِعُهُ
أيَwonders (reading uncertain) الأَجَدَّيْنِof day and night مِنْof فَخْمٍgrandeur وَمُزْدَانِand adornment
أيَ الأَجَدَّيْنِ مِنْ فَخْمٍ وَمُزْدَانِ
And Egypt's age, whose marvels surpassed
Eras succeeded in the valley adorned by it
The wonders of day and night in grandeur and adornment—
With masterpieces of creativity and skill
مِمَّاof what تَوَالَتْfollowed successively عَلَىupon الوَادِيthe valley بِهِwith it حِقَبٌages
مِمَّا تَوَالَتْ عَلَى الوَادِي بِهِ حِقَبٌ
زِينَتْwere adorned حَوَاشِيthe edges of الصَّفَاsmooth rock مِنْهُfrom it بِأَفْنَانِwith branches
زِينَتْ حَوَاشِي الصَّفَا مِنْهُ بِأَفْنَانِ
Works with which successive ages enriched the valley,
Two civilizations the path to eminence attained through
Adorning the edges of its rock with branching designs.
Enriching all cultivation and knowledge
حَضَارَتَانِtwo civilizations سَمَاrose high شَأْوُthe reach of النُّهَىintellect بِهِمَاthrough them both
حَضَارَتَانِ سَمَا شَأْوُ النُّهَى بِهِمَا
أَفَادَتَاthey both bestowed كُلَّevery تَثْقِيفٍcultivation وَعِرْفَانِand understanding
أَفَادَتَا كُلَّ تَثْقِيفٍ وَعِرْفَانِ
Two civilizations through which intellect's reach rose high,
By their unity of purpose since ancient times
Bestowing every cultivation and understanding.
Glory and esteem have remained associated
وَبِاتِّحَادِهِمَاand through their union فِيin الشَّأْنِendeavor مِنْfrom قِدَمٍantiquity
وَبِاتِّحَادِهِمَا فِي الشَّأْنِ مِنْ قِدَمٍ
مَاnot زَالَceased يَرْتَبِطُto be bound الأَسْنَىthe loftiest مِنَof الشَّانِendeavor
مَا زَالَ يَرْتَبِطُ الأَسْنَى مِنَ الشَّانِ
And to their ancient union in endeavor
O Ramesses’ glory, how much you astounded
The loftiest endeavor has remained bound.
Leaving behind questions that perplexed
يَاO مَجْدَglory of رَمْسِيسَRamses كَمْhow much أَبْقَيْتَyou preserved مِنْof عَجَبٍwonder
يَا مَجْدَ رَمْسِيسَ كَمْ أَبْقَيْتَ مِنْ عَجَبٍ
فِيهِwithin him وَمَسْأَلةٍand questioning عَنْهُabout him لِحَيْرَانِfor a bewildered person
فِيهِ وَمَسْأَلةٍ عَنْهُ لِحَيْرَانِ
O glory of Ramses, how much wonder you have preserved
In enmity, hate the destructive, vengeful foe
Within him, and questioning about him for the bewildered!
And history will praise the benign
أَبْغِضْhow hateful بِهِhe is فِيamong العِدَىenemies مِنْas هَادِمٍa destroyer حَنِقٍwrathful
أَبْغِضْ بِهِ فِي العِدَى مِنْ هَادِمٍ حَنِقٍ
وَحَبَّذَاand how admirable هُوَhe is التَّارِيخِhistory مِنْas بَانِa builder
وَحَبَّذَا هُوَ التَّارِيخِ مِنْ بَانِ
How hateful he was to enemies, a wrathful destroyer;
He raised citadels as he raised conquests ruthlessly
Yet how admirable he is as a builder of history!
Not sparing conqueror or pitying supplicant
عَالَىraised high الصُّرُوحَthe edifices كَمَاas وَالَىmade successive الفُتُوحَthe conquests بِلاwithout
عَالَى الصُّرُوحَ كَمَا وَالَى الفُتُوحَ بِلا
رِفْقٍkindness بِقَاصٍto a distant person وَلاnor عَطْفٍcompassion عَلَىtoward دَانِa near person
رِفْقٍ بِقَاصٍ وَلا عَطْفٍ عَلَى دَانِ
He raised edifices high as he piled conquest upon conquest, without
Is it fitting his station in glory be his
Kindness to the distant or compassion for the near.
Had he softened to elders or youth?
أَكَانَwould have been مَنْزِلُهُhis station فِيin المَجْدِglory مَنْزِلَهُhis station
أَكَانَ مَنْزِلُهُ فِي المَجْدِ مَنْزِلَهُ
لَوْif رَقَّhe softened قَلْباًin heart لِشِيبٍtoward the gray-haired أَوْor لِشُبَّانِtoward the young
لَوْ رَقَّ قَلْباً لِشِيبٍ أَوْ لِشُبَّانِ
Would his station in glory have been what it was
Or was it inevitable Egypt attained under him
Had his heart softened toward the gray-haired or the young?
The pinnacle rivaling all sovereignties?
أَمْor كَانَwould have been مَاwhat أَدْرَكْتْattained مِصْرٌEgypt عَلَىat يَدِهِhis hand
أَمْ كَانَ مَا أَدْرَكْتْ مِصْرٌ عَلَى يَدِهِ
ذَاكَthat المَقَامُstation الَّذِيwhich أَزْرَىput to shame بِكِيوَانِKaywan (Saturn)
ذَاكَ المَقَامُ الَّذِي أَزْرَى بِكِيوَانِ
Or would Egypt have attained at his hands
He chose the optimal course for himself and her
That station which put Kaywan to shame?
So that through him she rose and abased each rival
تَخَيَّرَchose الخُطَّةَthe course المُثْلَىfinest لَهُfor him وَلَهَاand for her
تَخَيَّرَ الخُطَّةَ المُثْلَى لَهُ وَلَهَا
يَعْلُوhe rises فَتَعْلُوand she rises بِهِthrough him وَالخَفْضُand abasement لِلشَّانِيfor the hater
يَعْلُو فَتَعْلُو بِهِ وَالخَفْضُ لِلشَّانِي
He chose the finest course for himself and for her:
He remained the pantheon’s god whom they adored
He rises, and she rises through him; abasement is for his hater.
And high priest of a crazed, raving herd
مَاnot زَالَceased بِالقَوْمِwith the people حَتَّىuntil صَارhe became بَيْنَهُمُamong them
مَا زَالَ بِالقَوْمِ حَتَّى صَار بَيْنَهُمُ
إِلهَthe god of جُنْدٍsoldiers تُحَابِيهِwho favor him وَكُهَّانِand priests
إِلهَ جُنْدٍ تُحَابِيهِ وَكُهَّانِ
He persisted with the people until he became among them
Who in secret and openly were distraught with passion for him
The god of soldiers who favored him, and of priests,
Each quaking with fervor, their hidden deity, the violator
وَرَبَّand lord of سَائِمَةٍa grazing herd بَلْهَاءَfoolish هَائِمَةٍwandering
وَرَبَّ سَائِمَةٍ بَلْهَاءَ هَائِمَةٍ
تَشْقَىit suffers وَتَهْوَاهُand adores him فِيin سِرٍّsecret وَإِعْلانِand public
تَشْقَى وَتَهْوَاهُ فِي سِرٍّ وَإِعْلانِ
And lord of a foolish, wandering herd
They exalted him beneath the crown’s canopy
That suffered yet adored him in secret and in public.
And kissed their blood on the gory marble
يَسُومُهَاhe subjects it to كُلُّevery خَسْفٍhumiliation وَهْيَwhile it صَابِرَةٌis patient
يَسُومُهَا كُلُّ خَسْفٍ وَهْيَ صَابِرَةٌ
لاnot صَبْرَthe patience of عَقْلٍreason وَلَكِنْbut صَبْرَthe patience of إِيمَانِfaith
لا صَبْرَ عَقْلٍ وَلَكِنْ صَبْرَ إِيمَانِ
He subjected it to every humiliation, while it endured—
Today, were she roused from her grave
Not with reason's patience, but with faith's.
She would find him as she had known him for ages
أَلاindeed وَقَدْand already بَلَغَتْit attained فِيacross الخَافِقِينَeast and west بِهِthrough him
أَلا وَقَدْ بَلَغَتْ فِي الخَافِقِينَ بِهِ
مَكَانَةًa standing لَمْnot تَكُنْit had been مِنْهَاby it بِحُسْبَانِreckoned upon
مَكَانَةً لَمْ تَكُنْ مِنْهَا بِحُسْبَانِ
Indeed, through him it had attained across east and west
Still a rock, true to the covenant she pledged
A standing it had never reckoned upon.
Without a heart, though possessing a body
إِنْif بَاتَhe remained فِيbehind حُجُبٍveils بَاءَتْit turned إِلَىto نُصُبٍa statue
إِنْ بَاتَ فِي حُجُبٍ بَاءَتْ إِلَى نُصُبٍ
يَلُوخُappears مِنْهُfrom it لَهَاto it مَعْبُودُهَاits worshiped deity الجَانِيthe wrongdoer
يَلُوخُ مِنْهُ لَهَا مَعْبُودُهَا الجَانِي
If he remained behind veils, it turned to a statue
Subjugating his people, whimsically served
From which its wrongdoing deity appeared to it.
No evil lord desired pure charity
فَبَجَّلَتْso it revered تَحْتَbeneath تَاجِthe crown of المُلْكِkingship مُدْمِيهَاthe one making it bleed
فَبَجَّلَتْ تَحْتَ تَاجِ المُلْكِ مُدْمِيهَا
وَقَبَّلَتْand kissed دَمَهَاits blood فِيin المَرْمَرِthe marble القَانِيcrimson
وَقَبَّلَتْ دَمَهَا فِي المَرْمَرِ القَانِي
So it revered, beneath the royal crown, the one who made it bleed,
They are those who aided his difficult aims
And kissed its own blood in crimson marble.
With wealth and servants submitting themselves
وَاليَوْمَand today لَوْif بُعِثَتْit were resurrected مِنْfrom قَبْرِهَاits grave لَبَدَاhe would appear
وَاليَوْمَ لَوْ بُعِثَتْ مِنْ قَبْرِهَا لَبَدَا
لَهَاto it كَمَاas خَبَرَتْهُit had known him مُنْذُsince أَزْمَانِages
لَهَا كَمَا خَبَرَتْهُ مُنْذُ أَزْمَانِ
And today, if it rose from its grave, he would appear
And they are those who, foolishly sworn to him
To it as it had known him ages ago:
Indebted him, forfeiting the creditor’s right
مَاnot زَالَceased to be صَخْراًrock عَلَىin العَهْدِthe condition الَّذِيwhich عَهِدَتْit had known
مَا زَالَ صَخْراً عَلَى العَهْدِ الَّذِي عَهِدَتْ
بِلاwithout فُؤَادٍa heart وَإِنْeven if دَاجَىhe dissembled بِجُثْمَانِwith a body
بِلا فُؤَادٍ وَإِنْ دَاجَى بِجُثْمَانِ
Still stone, just as it had known him,
In what did they excel? Their ways faded
Heartless, though he dissembled in a body's guise;
When they passed, captives of shrouds
مُسَخِّراًenslaving قَوْمَهُhis people طُرّاًall لِخِدْمَتِهِfor his service
مُسَخِّراً قَوْمَهُ طُرّاً لِخِدْمَتِهِ
وَمَاand whatever بَغَىhe desired رُبَّmany an سُوءٍevil مَحْضَpure إِحْسَانِbeneficence
وَمَا بَغَى رُبَّ سُوءٍ مَحْضَ إِحْسَانِ
Enslaving all his people to his service
Their names forgotten, buried obscurely
And whatever he desired—many an evil is pure beneficence;
In his etched secrecy, concealed
مُخَلَّدَimmortalized in المَجْدِglory دُونَunlike القَائِمِينَthose sustaining بِهِit
مُخَلَّدَ المَجْدِ دُونَ القَائِمِينَ بِهِ
مِنْfrom شُوسِfierce men of حَرْبٍwar وَصُنَّاعٍand craftsmen وَأَعْوَانِand helpers
مِنْ شُوسِ حَرْبٍ وَصُنَّاعٍ وَأَعْوَانِ
Immortal in glory, unlike those who sustained it,
If the people are ignorant, a just rule obliges
From fierce warriors to craftsmen and helpers;
The elite their due of governor and sultan
مُخَالِساًstealing ذِمَّةَthe pledged honor of العَلْيَاءِhigh glory مُضْطَجِعاًreclining
مُخَالِساً ذِمَّةَ العَلْيَاءِ مُضْطَجِعاً
مِنْaway from عِصْمَتِهَاher chastity فِيin مَضْجَعِthe bed of الزَّانِيthe adulterer
مِنْ عِصْمَتِهَا فِي مَضْجَعِ الزَّانِي
Stealing the honor pledged to high glory, reclining
Or the people wise, power held in their hands
Away from her chastity, in an adulterer's bed;
Not heeding possessions or dignitaries
بِحَيْثُso that آبَhe returned وَكُلُّand all الفَخْرِthe pride حِصَّتُهُwas his share
بِحَيْثُ آبَ وَكُلُّ الفَخْرِ حِصَّتُهُ
وَلَمْand not يَؤُبْreturned غَيْرُهُanyone else إِلاَّexcept بِحِرْمَانِwith deprivation
وَلَمْ يَؤُبْ غَيْرُهُ إِلاَّ بِحِرْمَانِ
So that he returned with all the pride as his share,
Would that the lands whose ways are corrupted
While no one else returned with anything but deprivation.
Were raised up by virtuous currents against the tide of tyranny
كَمْhow often رَاحَperished جَمْعٌa multitude فِدَىas a sacrifice for فَرْدٍan individual وَكَمْand how often بُذِلَتْwere offered
كَمْ رَاحَ جَمْعٌ فِدَى فَرْدٍ وَكَمْ بُذِلَتْ
فِيin مُشْتَرَىthe purchase of سَيِّدٍa master أَرْوَاحُthe souls of عُبْدَانِslaves
فِي مُشْتَرَى سَيِّدٍ أَرْوَاحُ عُبْدَانِ
How often a multitude perished for one individual; how often were offered,
Is not fire better suited to burn in the abode of the haughty
To purchase a master, the souls of slaves!
Than numb survival in haunts of bliss?
لِمُوقِعِfor the issuer of الأَمْرِcommands فِيهِمْamong them كُلُّevery تَكْرمَةٍhonor
لِمُوقِعِ الأَمْرِ فِيهِمْ كُلُّ تَكْرمَةٍ
وَمُنْفِذِand for the executor of الأَمْرِcommands فِيهِمْamong them كُلُّcomplete نِسْيَانِoblivion
وَمُنْفِذِ الأَمْرِ فِيهِمْ كُلُّ نِسْيَانِ
For the one who issued commands among them, every honor;
Honor one of ambitions; the disgraced may be saved
For the one who carried them out, complete oblivion.
From devastation and loss
كَلاَّno وَعِزَّتِهِby his might فِيماin what طَغَىhe tyrannized وَبَغَىand oppressed
كَلاَّ وَعِزَّتِهِ فِيما طَغَى وَبَغَى
وَذُلَّand the abasement of مَنْthose who قَبِلَaccepted الضِّيزَىinjustice بِإِذْعَانِwith submission
وَذُلَّ مَنْ قَبِلَ الضِّيزَى بِإِذْعَانِ
No! By his might as he tyrannized and oppressed,
He storms through them like a gale, transporting them
And by the abasement of those who meekly accepted injustice:
From meager existence to fervor’s field
هُمُthey الَّذِينَare those who عَلَىdespite عُسْرٍhardship بِمَطْلَبِهِat his demand
هُمُ الَّذِينَ عَلَى عُسْرٍ بِمَطْلَبِهِ
قَدْindeed أَسْعَفُوهُsupplied him بِأَمْوَالٍwith wealth وَفِتْيَانِand young men
قَدْ أَسْعَفُوهُ بِأَمْوَالٍ وَفِتْيَانِ
They are the ones who, despite hardship, at his demand
Some tyrants, when their evil peaks, may benefit
Supplied him with wealth and young men.
Their homelands, intentionally or not
وَهُمُand they عَلَىin سَفَهٍfoolishness دَانُواsubmitted بِمَنْto the one whom نَصَبُواthey installed
وَهُمُ عَلَى سَفَهٍ دَانُوا بِمَنْ نَصَبُوا
فَخَوَّلُوهُso they granted him مَدِيناًa debtor حَقَّthe right of دَيَّانِa creditor
فَخَوَّلُوهُ مَدِيناً حَقَّ دَيَّانِ
And foolishly they submitted to the one they installed,
Did Egypt under him ever attain such pinnacle
Thus granting their debtor the rights of a creditor.
Among nations and cities, previously or hence?
فِيمَwhy الأُولَىthose who صَنَعُواmade أَنْصَابَهُhis statues دَرَسَتْvanished
فِيمَ الأُولَى صَنَعُوا أَنْصَابَهُ دَرَسَتْ
رُسُومُهُمْtheir traces مُنْذُsince بَاتُواthey lay رَهْنَcaptive to أَكْفَانِshrouds
رُسُومُهُمْ مُنْذُ بَاتُوا رَهْنَ أَكْفَانِ
Why, for those who fashioned his statues, have
When all formidable runners grew weary
Their traces vanished since they lay captive in shrouds?
Of forging ahead furthest toward the goal
وَمَاand why لأَسْمَائِهِمْtheir names دُونَunlike اسْمِهِhis name دُفِنَتْwere buried
وَمَا لأَسْمَائِهِمْ دُونَ اسْمِهِ دُفِنَتْ
شُعْثاًunkempt مُنَكَّرَةًunrecognized فِيin رَمْسِthe tomb of كِتمَانِconcealment
شُعْثاً مُنَكَّرَةً فِي رَمْسِ كِتمَانِ
And why were their names, unlike his, buried
Do we not see in the citadel's remnants how they surpassed
Unkempt and unrecognized, in a tomb of concealment?
With human features exposed, uncouth
إِنْif يَجْهَلِis ignorant الشَّعْبُthe people فَالحُكْمُthen the government الخَلِيقُfit بِهِfor them
إِنْ يَجْهَلِ الشَّعْبُ فَالحُكْمُ الخَلِيقُ بِهِ
حَقُّthe right of العَزِيزَينِthe two mighty ones مِنْof وَالٍa governor وَسُلْطَانِand a sovereign
حَقُّ العَزِيزَينِ مِنْ وَالٍ وَسُلْطَانِ
If the people are ignorant, the government fit for them
And how they returned, Ramesses foremost among them
Is the right of the two mighty ones: governor and sovereign.
To the meadows with markets and servants?
أَوْor يَرْشُدُgrow wise الشَّعْبُthe people يُنْسِcomes to be (reading uncertain) الأَمْرُauthority فِيin يَدِهِtheir hands
أَوْ يَرْشُدُ الشَّعْبُ يُنْسِ الأَمْرُ فِي يَدِهِ
وَلاand no اعْتِدادَregard بِأَمْلاكٍfor kings وَأَعْيَانِand grandees
وَلا اعْتِدادَ بِأَمْلاكٍ وَأَعْيَانِ
Or, if the people grow wise, authority [comes] into their hands,
After he distinguished himself between the two rulers through them
Without regard for kings or grandees.
He became supreme, elevated among idols
لَيْتَwould that البِلادَthe lands الَّتِيwhose أَخْلاقُهَاtheir morals رَسَبَتْsank
لَيْتَ البِلادَ الَّتِي أَخْلاقُهَا رَسَبَتْ
يَعْلُوmight lift بِأَخْلاقِهَاtheir morals تَيَّارُa torrent of طُغْيَانِtyranny
يَعْلُو بِأَخْلاقِهَا تَيَّارُ طُغْيَانِ
Would that lands whose morals have sunk
Yesterday offered to deities as a sacrifice
Might have their morals lifted by a torrent of tyranny!
Today, lords make him the offering
أَلنَّارُfire أَسْوَغُmore palatable وِرْداًas a draught فِيin مَجَالِthe arena of عُلىًhigh endeavor
أَلنَّارُ أَسْوَغُ وِرْداً فِي مَجَالِ عُلىً
مِنْthan بَارِدِcool العَيْشِliving فِيin أَفْيَاءِthe shade of فَيْنَانِluxuriant foliage
مِنْ بَارِدِ العَيْشِ فِي أَفْيَاءِ فَيْنَانِ
Fire is a sweeter draught in the arena of high endeavor
If their supreme Lord is unknown, no surprise
Than cool living beneath luxuriant shade.
Can order exist devoid of a sun in the universe?
أَكْرِمْhow honorable بِذِيa possessor of مَطْمَعٍambition فِيat جَنْبِthe side of مَطْمَعِهِhis ambition
أَكْرِمْ بِذِي مَطْمَعٍ فِي جَنْبِ مَطْمَعِهِ
يَنْجُوescape الأَذِلاَّءُthe lowly مِنْfrom خَسْفٍabasement وَخُسْرَانِand ruin
يَنْجُو الأَذِلاَّءُ مِنْ خَسْفٍ وَخُسْرَانِ
Honor to the ambitious man alongside whose ambition
Ignorance birthed in them whims for sculpting and painting
The lowly escape abasement and ruin!
Masterpieces, structures, and buildings
يَهُبُّhe sweeps فِيهِمْamong them كَإِعْصَارٍlike a whirlwind فَيَنْقُلُهُمْand carries them
يَهُبُّ فِيهِمْ كَإِعْصَارٍ فَيَنْقُلُهُمْ
مِنْfrom خَفْضِthe ease of عَيْشٍliving إِلَىto هَيْجَاءِthe tumult of مَيْدَانِa battlefield
مِنْ خَفْضِ عَيْشٍ إِلَى هَيْجَاءِ مَيْدَانِ
He sweeps among them like a whirlwind, carrying them
Marvels of skill, exquisite in detail
From comfortable living to the tumult of a battlefield.
At which every industrious tribe marveled
بَعْضُsome الطُّغَاةِtyrants إِذَاwhen جَلَّتْgrew immense إِسَاءَتُهُtheir wrongdoing
بَعْضُ الطُّغَاةِ إِذَا جَلَّتْ إِسَاءَتُهُ
فَقَدْthen perhaps يَكُونُthere is بِهِthrough it نَفْعٌbenefit لأَوْطَانِfor homelands
فَقَدْ يَكُونُ بِهِ نَفْعٌ لأَوْطَانِ
Some tyrants, when their wrongdoing grows immense,
Time passed, devoid of such wonders, because of and for them
May through it bring benefit to homelands.
Perfecting past and present in wisdom and craft
فيin كُلِّevery مَفْخَرَةٍglorious achievement تَسْمُوrises بِهَاthrough it
في كُلِّ مَفْخَرَةٍ تَسْمُو بِهَا
تَفْنَىperish جُمُوعٌmultitudes مُفَادَاةًas sacrifices لأُحْدَانِfor individuals
تَفْنَى جُمُوعٌ مُفَادَاةً لأُحْدَانِ
With every glorious achievement through which a land rises,
Confounding nations, they derived from them
Multitudes perish as sacrifices for individuals.
Principles of law, faith, and government
كَمhow much فِيin سَنَىthe radiance of الكَوْكَبِthe star الوَهَّاجِblazing مَهْلَكَةٍdestruction
كَم فِي سَنَى الكَوْكَبِ الوَهَّاجِ مَهْلَكَةٍ
فِيin كُلِّevery لَمْحٍflash لأَضْوَاءٍof lights وَأَلوَانِand colors
فِي كُلِّ لَمْحٍ لأَضْوَاءٍ وَأَلوَانِ
How much destruction lies in the blazing star's radiance,
And from their ruins, they drew each ornament
In every flash of lights and colors!
Without reserve from Greek or Roman
لَمْnot تَرْقَrose حَقْبَةٍin an age مِصْرٌEgypt كَمَاas رَقِيَتْshe rose
لَمْ تَرْقَ حَقْبَةٍ مِصْرٌ كَمَا رَقِيَتْ
فِيin عَصْرِهِhis era بَيْنَamong أَمْصَارٍcities وَبُلْدَانِand countries
فِي عَصْرِهِ بَيْنَ أَمْصَارٍ وَبُلْدَانِ
Never in any age did Egypt rise as she rose
This is glory imperishable, its survival
In his era among cities and countries,
Despite succession of peoples and eras
لَمَّاwhen رَمَتْshe assailed كُلَّevery تَانِيlaggard in (reading uncertain) الشَّوْطِthe race مُمْتَنِعٍresistant
لَمَّا رَمَتْ كُلَّ تَانِي الشَّوْطِ مُمْتَنِعٍ
بِسَابِقِينَwith forerunners إِلَىtoward الغَايَاتِthe goals شُجْعَانِbrave
بِسَابِقِينَ إِلَى الغَايَاتِ شُجْعَانِ
When she assailed every resistant laggard in the race
Egypt’s history and Ramesses its gem
With brave men who raced ahead toward the goals.
A strand of pearls, threaded and arranged
أَلاdo not نَرَىwe see فِيin بَقَايَاthe remains of الصَّرْحِthe edifice كَيْفَhow مَضَوْاthey went forth
أَلا نَرَى فِي بَقَايَا الصَّرْحِ كَيْفَ مَضَوْا
بِأَوْجِهٍwith faces بَادِيَاتِopenly showing البِشْرِjoy غُرَّانِradiant
بِأَوْجِهٍ بَادِيَاتِ البِشْرِ غُرَّانِ
Do we not see in the edifice's remains how they went forth
None similar adorns glory’s diadems from antiquity
With radiant faces openly showing joy?
A glittering diadem encompassing all themes
وَكَيْفَand how عَادُواthey returned وَand رَمْسِيسٌRamses مُقَدَّمُهُمْat their head
وَكَيْفَ عَادُوا وَ رَمْسِيسٌ مُقَدَّمُهُمْ
إِلَىto الرُّبُوعِthe dwellings بِأَوْسَاقٍwith laden cargoes وَغِلْمَانِand young captives
إِلَى الرُّبُوعِ بِأَوْسَاقٍ وَغِلْمَانِ
And how they returned, Ramses at their head,
In the inscription, lessons for the learned inscribed
To their dwellings with laden cargoes and young captives?
In decisive, eloquent verses
فَبَعْدَso after أنْthat صَالَhe charged بَيْنَamong المَالِكِينَthe rulers بِهِمْby their strength
فَبَعْدَ أنْ صَالَ بَيْنَ المَالِكِينَ بِهِمْ
صَارَhe became الكَبِيرَthe great one المُعَلَّىexalted بَيْنَamong أَوْثَانِidols
صَارَ الكَبِيرَ المُعَلَّى بَيْنَ أَوْثَانِ
After he had charged among rulers by their strength,
They descended as images and emerged as walls
He became the exalted great one among idols.
In a coffer of pillars and edifices
بالأَمْسِyesterday يُدْنِيهِdrew him near قُرْبَانٌan offering لآلِهَةٍto gods
بالأَمْسِ يُدْنِيهِ قُرْبَانٌ لآلِهَةٍ
وَاليَوْمَand today يَأْتِيهِcome to him أَرْبَابٌgods بِقُرْبَانِwith an offering
وَاليَوْمَ يَأْتِيهِ أَرْبَابٌ بِقُرْبَانِ
Yesterday an offering drew him near to gods;
They tantalized nations who drew from them
Today gods come to him with offerings.
Fundaments of regimes and religions
إِنْif يَغْدُhe becomes رَبَّهُمُtheir lord الأَعْلَىhighest فَلاthen no عَجَبٌwonder
إِنْ يَغْدُ رَبَّهُمُ الأَعْلَى فَلا عَجَبٌ
هَلْis there مِنْany نِظَامٍorder بِلاwithout شَمْسٍa sun لأَكْوَانِfor worlds
هَلْ مِنْ نِظَامٍ بِلا شَمْسٍ لأَكْوَانِ
If he becomes their highest lord, there is no wonder:
And from its adornments, every grace was derived
Can worlds have order without a sun?
Without exception for Greek or Roman
جَهَالَةٌan ignorance وَلَّدَتْbrought forth فِيهَاwithin it قَرَائِحُهُمْtheir creative minds
جَهَالَةٌ وَلَّدَتْ فِيهَا قَرَائِحُهُمْ
ضُرُوبَvarieties of نَحْتٍsculpture وَتَصْوِيرٍand painting وَبُنْيَانِand building
ضُرُوبَ نَحْتٍ وَتَصْوِيرٍ وَبُنْيَانِ
An ignorance in which their creative minds brought forth
This is an ancient abode wherein perfection still thrives
Varieties of sculpture, painting, and building,
Despite all it now lacks
مِمَّاof what لَوِif اسْتَطْلَعَexamined الرَّانِيthe gazing observer نَفَائِسَهُits precious works
مِمَّا لَوِ اسْتَطْلَعَ الرَّانِي نَفَائِسَهُ
لَمَاwould not انْقَضَىend عَجَدُwonder (reading uncertain) المُسْتِطْلِعِof the explorer الرَّانِيgazing
لَمَا انْقَضَى عَجَدُ المُسْتِطْلِعِ الرَّانِي
Whose precious works, if a gazing explorer examined them,
I performed pilgrimage, and due to its enduring, noble lineage
Would leave that gazing explorer's wonder without end.
Each glance revealed a charm to the beholder
فِيin كُلِّevery مُنْكَشِفٍrevealed place كَنْزٌa treasure وَمُسْتَتِرٍand a concealed place
فِي كُلِّ مُنْكَشِفٍ كَنْزٌ وَمُسْتَتِرٍ
مَظِنَّةٌa likely place لِخَبَايَاfor hidden treasures ذَاتِpossessing أَثْمَانِvalue
مَظِنَّةٌ لِخَبَايَا ذَاتِ أَثْمَانِ
In every revealed place, a treasure; in every concealed place,
Time has continually folded and spread it
A likely store of precious secrets.
Splendid, its elongated colonnade
آيَاتُsigns of مَقْدِرَةٍpower جَلَّتْwere magnificent دَقَائِقُهَاtheir subtle details
آيَاتُ مَقْدِرَةٍ جَلَّتْ دَقَائِقُهَا
شَأَىoutstripped بِهَاthrough them كُلَّevery قَوْمٍpeople قَوْمُthe people of هَامَانِHaman
شَأَى بِهَا كُلَّ قَوْمٍ قَوْمُ هَامَانِ
Signs of power whose subtle details were magnificent:
In the etchings, signs for the knowledgeable are written
Through them the people of Haman outstripped every people.
Wise verses, cogent and clear
تَقَادَمَgrew ancient العُصُرُthe age الخَالِيbygone بِهَاwith them وَلَهَاand theirs is
تَقَادَمَ العُصُرُ الخَالِي بِهَا وَلَهَا
تِمُّthe perfection of الجَدِيدَيْنِday and night مِنْin حِذْقٍskill وَإِتْقَانِand mastery
تِمُّ الجَدِيدَيْنِ مِنْ حِذْقٍ وَإِتْقَانِ
The bygone age has grown ancient with them, yet theirs is
They materialized as depictions and emerged as facades
The perfection of day and night in skill and mastery.
In a codex of columns and walls
لَمْnot يَعْتَوِرْassailed مَجْدَهَاtheir glory مَهْدُومُfallen أَرْوِقَةٍporticoes
لَمْ يَعْتَوِرْ مَجْدَهَا مَهْدُومُ أَرْوِقَةٍ
وَلَمْand not يُذِلْhumbled فَنَّهَاtheir art مَهْدُودُshattered أَرْكَانِfoundations
وَلَمْ يُذِلْ فَنَّهَا مَهْدُودُ أَرْكَانِ
Fallen porticoes have not assailed their glory,
They have confounded nations, from which they ignited
Nor shattered foundations humbled their art.
Sparks to kindle principles of law and faith
وَرَاضَand tamed كُلَّevery هَوْلِterror بِهَاwithin them حَرشدٍa host (reading uncertain)
وَرَاضَ كُلَّ هَوْلِ بِهَا حَرشدٍ
دُمىًstatues تَهَاوِيلُهَاtheir awesome forms آيَاتُsigns of إِحْسَانِexcellence
دُمىً تَهَاوِيلُهَا آيَاتُ إِحْسَانِ
And [a host] tamed every terror within them:
And from its elegance, every ornament has been tapped
Statues whose awesome forms are signs of excellence.
Unstinting toward Greek or Roman
وَزَادَand increased رَوْعَتَهَاtheir awe أَنْقَاضُthe ruins of آلِهَةٍgods
وَزَادَ رَوْعَتَهَا أَنْقَاضُ آلِهَةٍ
فِيهَاwithin them حَوَانٍbending عَلَىover أَنْقَاضِthe ruins of تِيجَانِcrowns
فِيهَا حَوَانٍ عَلَى أَنْقَاضِ تِيجَانِ
And ruins of gods heightened their awe,
This is Egypt’s glory, and Ramesses its gem
Bending there over the ruins of crowns.
A strand of pearls threaded on a string
سُجُودُthe prostration of مَاwhat كَانَwas مَسْجُوداًprostrated to لَهُit عِظَةٌa lesson
سُجُودُ مَا كَانَ مَسْجُوداً لَهُ عِظَةٌ
فِيin نَفْسِthe soul of كُلِّevery لبِيبٍdiscerning person ذَاتِpossessing أَشْجَانِsorrows
فِي نَفْسِ كُلِّ لبِيبٍ ذَاتِ أَشْجَانِ
The prostration of what once received prostration is a lesson,
None similar graces glory’s tiaras from of old
Filled with sorrows in every discerning soul.
A glittering tiara encompassing every title
وَرُبُّand many a رُزْءٍcalamity بِآثَارٍupon monuments أَشَدَّmore intense أَسىًin sorrow
وَرُبُّ رُزْءٍ بِآثَارٍ أَشَدَّ أَسىً
مِنْهُthan it مُلِمّاًbefalling بِأَشْخَاصٍpersons وَأَعْيَانِand notable individuals
مِنْهُ مُلِمّاً بِأَشْخَاصٍ وَأَعْيَانِ
Many a calamity afflicting monuments is more sorrowful
Than when it befalls persons and notable individuals.
وَالتَّاجُand the crown أَشْجَىmore sorrowful إِذَاwhen مَاindeed انْفَضَّbreaks away عَنْfrom صَنَمٍan idol
وَالتَّاجُ أَشْجَى إِذَا مَا انْفَضَّ عَنْ صَنَمٍ
مِنْهُthan it إِذَاwhen مَاindeed هَوَىfalls عَنْfrom رأَْسِthe head of إِنْسَانِa human being
مِنْهُ إِذَا مَا هَوَى عَنْ رأَْسِ إِنْسَانِ
A crown is sadder when it breaks away from an idol
Than when it falls from a human head.
بَيْتٌa sanctuary عَتِيقٌancient يُرَىis seen فِيهِwithin it الكَمَالُperfection عَلَىdespite
بَيْتٌ عَتِيقٌ يُرَى فِيهِ الكَمَالُ عَلَى
مَاwhat شَابَهُmarred it الآنَnow مِنْof أَعْرَاضِmarks of نُقْصَانِdeficiency
مَا شَابَهُ الآنَ مِنْ أَعْرَاضِ نُقْصَانِ
An ancient sanctuary in which perfection is seen despite
The marks of deficiency that now mar it.
حَجَجْتُهُI made pilgrimage to it وَبِهِand within it مِنْfrom طُولِthe length of مُدَّتِهِits existence
حَجَجْتُهُ وَبِهِ مِنْ طُولِ مُدَّتِهِ
وَفَضْلِand the excellence of جِدَّتِهِits freshness لِلطَّرْفِfor the eye حُسْنَانِtwo beauties
وَفَضْلِ جِدَّتِهِ لِلطَّرْفِ حُسْنَانِ
I made pilgrimage to it; its long existence
And its excellent freshness give the eye two beauties.
مَاnot زَالَceased وَالدَّهْرُwhile Time يَطْوِيهِfolds it up وَيَنْشُرُهُand unfolds it
مَا زَالَ وَالدَّهْرُ يَطْوِيهِ وَيَنْشُرُهُ
يُزْهَىshine proudly جَلالاًin grandeur رُوَاقَاهُits two porticoes المَدِيدَانِlong
يُزْهَى جَلالاً رُوَاقَاهُ المَدِيدَانِ
Still, while Time folds it up and unfolds it,
Its two long porticoes shine proudly with grandeur.
فِيin النَّقْشِthe carvings مِنْهُof it لأَهْلِfor the people of الذِّكْرِremembrance قَدْindeed كُتِبَتْwere written
فِي النَّقْشِ مِنْهُ لأَهْلِ الذِّكْرِ قَدْ كُتِبَتْ
آيَاتٌverses ذِكْرٍof remembrance بِإِحْكَامٍwith precision وَتِبْيَانِand clarity
آيَاتٌ ذِكْرٍ بِإِحْكَامٍ وَتِبْيَانِ
In its carvings, for those versed in remembrance, were written
Verses of remembrance, with precision and clarity.
تَنَزَّلَتْdescended صُوَراًas images وَاسْتُكْمِلَتْand were completed سُوَراًas chapters
تَنَزَّلَتْ صُوَراً وَاسْتُكْمِلَتْ سُوَراً
فِيin مُصْحَفٍa scripture مِنْof دِعَامَاتٍpillars وَجُدْرَانِand walls
فِي مُصْحَفٍ مِنْ دِعَامَاتٍ وَجُدْرَانِ
They descended as images and were completed as chapters
In a scripture of pillars and walls.
شَاقَتْcaptivated بِفِتْنَتِهَاwith their enchantment الأَقْوَامَthe peoples فَاقْتَبَسُواso they borrowed
شَاقَتْ بِفِتْنَتِهَا الأَقْوَامَ فَاقْتَبَسُوا
مِنْهَاfrom them أُصُولَthe foundations of حُكُومَاتٍgovernments وَأَدْيَانِand religions
مِنْهَا أُصُولَ حُكُومَاتٍ وَأَدْيَانِ
Their enchantment captivated peoples, who borrowed
From them the foundations of governments and religions.
وَمِنْand from حُلاهَاtheir ornaments استَمَدُّواthey drew كُلَّevery تَحْلِيَةٍembellishment
وَمِنْ حُلاهَا استَمَدُّوا كُلَّ تَحْلِيَةٍ
بِلاwithout مُحَاشَاةِexcepting إِغْرِيقٍGreeks وَand رُومَانِRomans
بِلا مُحَاشَاةِ إِغْرِيقٍ وَ رُومَانِ
And from their ornaments they drew every embellishment,
Not excepting Greeks and Romans.
هَذَاthis هُوَis المَجْدُglory نَفْنَىwe perish وَالبَقَاءُand endurance لَهُbelongs to it
هَذَا هُوَ المَجْدُ نَفْنَى وَالبَقَاءُ لَهُ
عَلَىthrough تَعَاقُبِthe succession of أَجيالٍgenerations وَأَزْمَانِand ages
عَلَى تَعَاقُبِ أَجيالٍ وَأَزْمَانِ
This is glory: we perish, while it endures
Through the succession of generations and ages.
تَارِيخُthe history of مِصْرٍEgypt وَand رَمْسِيسٌRamses فَريدَتُهُits peerless jewel
تَارِيخُ مِصْرٍ وَ رَمْسِيسٌ فَريدَتُهُ
عِقْدٌa necklace مِنَof الدُّرِّpearls مَنْظُومٌstrung بِعِقْيَانِwith pure gold
عِقْدٌ مِنَ الدُّرِّ مَنْظُومٌ بِعِقْيَانِ
Egypt's history, with Ramses its peerless jewel,
Is a necklace of pearls strung with pure gold.
مَاnot مِثْلُهُits like فِيamong طُرُوسِthe scrolls of الفَخْرِpride مِنْfrom قِدَمٍantiquity
مَا مِثْلُهُ فِي طُرُوسِ الفَخْرِ مِنْ قِدَمٍ
طِرْسٌa scroll مِنَof الفَخْرِpride أَوْعَىencompassed كُلَّevery عُنْوَانِtitle
طِرْسٌ مِنَ الفَخْرِ أَوْعَى كُلَّ عُنْوَانِ
No scroll like it exists among the scrolls of ancient pride:
A scroll of pride that holds every title.
Partial English translation: 178 of 202 Arabic lines translated.