ذلك الشعب الذي آتاه نصرا

هو بالسبة من نيرون أحرى

That people who gave him victory

are more deserving of disgrace than Nero.

أي شيء كان نيرون الذي

عبدوه كان فظ الطبع غرا

What was Nero, whom

they worshipped? Coarse by nature, foolish,

بارز الصدغين رهلا بادنا

ليس بالأتلع يمشي مسبطرا

bulging-templed, flabby, corpulent,

not long-necked, walking with a sprawling strut,

خائب الهمة خرار الحشا

إن يواقف لحظه باللحظ فرا

feeble of purpose, faint of heart:

if a glance confronted his glance, he fled.

قزمة هم نصبوه عاليا

وجثوا بين يديه فاشمخرا

A dwarf—they set him high

and knelt before him, so he towered proudly.

ضخموه وأطالوا فيثه

فترامى يملأ الآفاق فجرا

They magnified him and stretched his bulk,

so he spread, filling the horizons with wickedness.

منحوه من قواهم ما به

صار طاغوتا عليهم أو أضرا

They granted him of their strength that whereby

he became a tyrant over them, or something worse.

يكثر الإعصار هدما وردى

إن يكاثره وما أوهاه صدر

He outdoes the whirlwind in destruction and death

if he vies with it—yet how frail his breast!

مد في الآفاق ظلا جائلا

هو ظل الموت أو أعدى وأضرى

He cast a roaming shadow across the horizons:

the shadow of death, or more harmful and savage.

إن رسا في موضع طم الأسى

أو مضى فاظنن بسيف الله بترا

If he settled somewhere, sorrow overwhelmed it;

if he passed on, expect God's sword to sever,

متلفا للزرع والضرع معا

تاركا في إثره المعمور قفرا

destroying crops and udders alike,

leaving inhabited land behind him desolate.

إنما يبطش ذو الأمر إذا

لم يخف بطش الأولى ولوه أمرا

A ruler strikes with violence only when

he fears no violence from those who gave him rule.

ساس نيرون برفق قومه

مستهلا عهده بالخير دثرا

Nero governed his people gently,

beginning his reign with abundant goodness,

مستشيرا فيهم الحذر إلى

أن بلا القوم فما راجع حذرا

taking caution as his counselor concerning them, until

he tested the people, then never returned to caution.

ضاربا فيهم بكف مرة

باسطا كفيه بالإحسان مرا

Striking them with a hand one time,

spreading both his hands with kindness another,

لان حتى وجد اللين بهم

فجفا ثم عتا ثم اقمطرا

he softened until he found softness in them,

then grew harsh, then insolent, then grim.

لبس الحلم لهم حتى إذا

آنس الحلم بهم منه تعرى

He donned forbearance for them, until

he perceived forbearance in them and stripped himself of it.

وانتحى يرهقهم خترا فما

عاقل في معقل يأمن خترا

He turned to oppress them treacherously; no

wise man in a fortress is safe from treachery.

بادئا تجربة البأس بمن

هو من أهله في الأدنين إصرا

Beginning his experiment in violence with those

closest among his own family in kinship's bonds,

لم يشفعهم لديه أنهم

أعلق الناس به قربى وصهرا

it did not intercede for them with him that

they were nearest to him by blood and marriage.

مستبيحا بعدهم كل امرئ

رابه سما وإحراقا ونحرا

After them, he held every man fair game

who troubled him: by poison, burning, and slaughter.

من موالين وندمان لقوا

حتفهم حيث رجوا سيبا مبرا

Loyalists and boon companions met

their deaths where they had hoped for generous bounty;

وأولي علم على تأديبه

أنفقوا من علمهم ما جل ذخرا

and learned men, who in educating him

spent knowledge that was a mighty treasure,

حذروه شر ما يعقبه

بغيه إن لم يخف لوما وشرا

warned him of the evil that would follow

his tyranny if he feared neither blame nor harm.

فأباحوا خطلا أنفسهم

وأولي الألباب أعيانا وغثرا

Thus, foolishly, they exposed themselves,

and men of understanding, notables and commoners.

ظن في الجمهور أعداء لهم

ملئت أكبادهم ضغنا ودغرا

He imagined enemies among the populace, whose

hearts were filled with hatred and hostility,

كاظمين الغيظ خافين إلى

أن يلوا في وجهه العدوان جهرا

suppressing wrath, remaining hidden until

they could openly confront him with hostility,

ناكسي الهامات حتى يشهدوا

في لقاء القادرين الصعر صعرا

bowing their heads until they witnessed,

when facing the powerful, arrogance answered with arrogance.

من غيابات الدجى أبصارهم

تطلب النور وتأبى أن تقرا

From the hidden depths of darkness their eyes

sought light and refused to rest:

فئة شكس غلاة طالما

ناوأوا الحكم وهاجوا القوم نأرا

a quarrelsome, extremist faction, who had so often

opposed the government and stirred the people to clamor.

قتلوا تركين في دعواهم

أنه يسرف في السلطان حكرا

They killed Tarquin, alleging

that he monopolized power excessively,

وأثابوا بالردى قيصر إذ

أخضع الدنيا لهم برا وبحرا

and rewarded Caesar with death when

he subdued the world for them, on land and sea.

أصحيح أن روما حفظت

من جلال العزة القعساء غبرا

Was it true that Rome retained

remnants of the majesty of unassailable pride?

لم يخل ذلك نيرون ولم

ير من يأمنها يأمن وترا

Nero did not suppose so, nor

think anyone trusting her safe from vengeance.

عد عن ذلك واذكر قتله

أمه كم عظة في طي ذكرى

Leave that aside, and remember his killing

his mother—how many lessons lie folded in remembrance!

هي أردت عمه من أجله

وأرته كيف أخذ الملك قهرا

She killed his uncle for his sake

and showed him how kingship was seized by force.

ورعته حاكما حتى إذا

شجرت بينهما العلاب شجرا

She protected him as ruler, until

rivalries clashed between the two,

ورأى الشركة في سلطانه

وهنا والنصح تقييدا وحجرا

and he saw sharing his authority

as weakness, and counsel as restraint and prohibition.

سخر الفلك لها تغرقها

فنجت والغور لا يدرك سبرا

He employed ships to drown her,

but she escaped; the hidden depth could not be fathomed.

فتباكى خدعة لكنها

لم يفتها ما وراء العين عبرى

He feigned weeping to deceive, but

what lay behind the tearful eye did not escape her.

فاصطفى من جندها مؤتمنا

خائنا يأخذها بالسيف غدرا

So he chose a trusted man from her troops,

a traitor to strike her treacherously with the sword.

ولفضل في نهاها استشعرت

غيلة الوغد إذ البارق ذرا

Through her exceptional intelligence she sensed

the villain's murderous plot when the blade flashed:

لحظة فيها استبانت هول ما

إثمها أمس عليها اليوم جرا

a moment in which she perceived the horror of what

her sin yesterday had brought upon her today.

غير أن الخوف منها لم يقع

موقعا يزري إذا ما الخوف أزرى

Yet fear made no impression upon her

that disgraced her, as fear can disgrace.

فأشارت قبل لم تحتشم

ولها وقفتها تيها وجبرا

So first she pointed, unabashed,

standing there in pride and haughtiness.

ثم قالت دونك البطن الذي

نكب الدنيا به فابقره بقرا

Then she said, ‘Here is the belly that

brought disaster on the world through him: rip it wide!’

هكذا الباغي على جبن به

بدأ البغي وبالفتك تضرى

Thus the tyrant, despite his cowardice,

began oppression and grew savage through slaughter.

يختل الناس فرادى فإذا

أجمعوا رأيا أدار الطعن نثرا

He deceived people singly; when

they agreed in judgment, he scattered his thrusts among them.

من يجده ممكنا أصمى ومن

لم يجده ممكنا منى فأغرى

Whoever he found within reach he slew; whoever

he could not reach, he tempted with promises.

مستطيلا ما اشتهى في بغيه

قائلا ما استطاع للرأفة قصرا

Extending his tyranny as far as he desired,

telling mercy, whenever he could, ‘Enough!’

غال من غال بهم في شبهة

بل كفى أن خال حتى اقتص وغرا

He treacherously killed whomever he killed among them on suspicion;

indeed, imagining was enough for spiteful vengeance.

وادعى الوزر وقاضى وقضى

غيبة إن كان أو لم يك وزرا

He alleged guilt, prosecuted, and passed judgment

in their absence, whether there was an offense or not.

وبنو روما سجود حوله

ركع راضون ما ساء وسرا

And Rome's sons lay prostrate around him,

bowing, accepting what distressed and delighted them.

لو علوا كالمد في بحر طغى

ثم ظنوه لعاد المد جزرا

Had they risen like the tide in an overflowing sea,

then mistrusted him, that tide would have ebbed.

كلما كفكفه ناهي النهى

عن أذاهم جرأوه فتجرى

Whenever reason's restraint checked him

from harming them, they emboldened him, and he grew bold.

ليس بالتارك فيهم جهده

لسوى أعوانه جاها وأزرا

To the utmost of his power, he would leave no one

except his helpers with standing and support.

أفسد القوم على أنفسهم

فإذا الأخفر من كان الأبرا

He corrupted the people against themselves:

the most faithful to their pledges became the most treacherous.

وإذا الأوفى خثون وإذا

حسن النكر قبيلا ساء نكرا

The most loyal became perfidious; and he

whose cleverness had served good now turned it to evil.

وإذا كل ولاء عامر

تحته مفسدة تحفر حفرا

Every flourishing allegiance

concealed corruption tunneling beneath it.

ظل في الإرهاب حتى خف من

قذفهم في روعة ما كان وقرا

He persisted in terror until, through

casting them into panic, his burden grew light.

فانثنى منشرحا صدرا كأن

لم يجيء من شنع التنكيل صدرا

Then he turned back with a joyful breast, as though

he had not produced a mass of hideous torment.

كل يوم يمنع الجيش حبى

وعطايا جمة تبذر بذرا

Every day he withheld gifts from the army,

and abundant presents, scattered far and wide.

كل يوم يصل الشعب بما

ليس يبقي لاستياء فيه حبرا

Every day he bestowed upon the people what

left no trace of discontent among them.

كل يوم ينتدي حيث انتدى

للملاهي قومه صبحا وعصرا

Every day he joined the gatherings where

his people met for amusements, morning and afternoon.

فأحبوه لهذا ونسوا

ما بهم حل من الأرزاء غزرا

They loved him for this and forgot

the many calamities that had befallen them.

وجرى في كل شوط آمنا

وتملى العيش بعد الخوف طثرا

He ran every course secure

and enjoyed ample life after fear.

أخطر الأمن فليقولا على

باله والهزر قد يعقب هزر

Security brought Caligula to

his mind—and one jest may beget another.

أفتدري من فليقولا وما

سامه الرومان مستخذين بهرا

Do you know who Caligula was, and what

the Romans accorded him, abject and overawed?

أفتدري أي حكم جائر

ذلك الطاغي على الرومان أجرى

Do you know what unjust rule

that tyrant imposed upon the Romans?

أفتدري ما الذي كلفهم

ذات يوم ضحكا منهم وسخرا

Do you know what he demanded of them

one day, laughing at them and mocking?

يوم أمسى غير مبق بينهم

من أسود الخدر من يعصم خدرا

The day he had left among them none

of the chambers' lions to guard a chamber,

وثنى الأعيان في ندوتهم

طوع كفيه أأحلى أم أمرا

and bent the notables in their assembly

to his hands' bidding, whether he sweetened or embittered,

فنوى أفعولة لم ينوها

غيره من قبل مهما يك جسرا

he conceived a deed never conceived

by anyone before him, however daring.

لو أسرت نفس أشقى ظالم

بعضها اخجله ما قد أسرا

Had the soul of the most wretched tyrant concealed

even part of it, that secret would have shamed him.

ذاك أن ولى علهم قنصلا

فرسا من خيله أصهب ترا

It was that he appointed as consul over them

one of his horses, chestnut and well-fleshed,

مرن الأرساغ ممراحا يرى

قارحا أو فوقه إن هو فرا

supple in the pasterns, spirited, appearing

full-grown or older when his teeth were examined.

كان في الخيل أبوه معزيا

بينا نسبته والأم حجرا

Among horses his sire had an established

and clear pedigree, and his dam was a mare.

رحب شدق لاهزا ماضغه

لا حب المتن استوى خلقا وأسرا

Wide-mouthed, with jawbones and chewing muscles,

smooth-backed, balanced in build and strength,

مشرف العنق ضليعا هيكلا

لم يبالغ فيه من سماه غمرا

high-necked, stout, massive:

whoever called him a mighty steed did not exaggerate.

طالما استعصى على ملجمه

في الصبا ثم على الأيام قرا

Often he had defied his bridler

in youth, then settled with the passing days.

وبدا فيه وقار بعد أن

كان خفاقا إذا حمل وقرا

Dignity appeared in him after

he had been restless when carrying a load.

ريض للطاغي وأوهى عزمه

كبر السن فما يسطع كبرا

He was trained for the tyrant; his resolve was weakened

by old age, so he could no longer show arrogance.

وغدا في ظن مولاه به

دمثا لا خوف من أن يحذئرا

In his master's estimation he became

gentle, with no fear that he would startle,

دانيا حاجبه من وقبه

لينا جانبه عسرا ويسرا

his brow close to his eye socket,

his manner soft in difficulty and ease,

مذعنا يصلح للإقرار في

مجلس الأشياخ محمودا مقرا

submissive, fit to be installed in

the council of elders, praised and approved.

فلهذا اختاره صنوا لهم

وهو لا يحسبه أحدث كفرا

For this he chose him as their equal,

not thinking that he had committed an impiety.

لم يكد يأمر حتى استبقت

زمر تهتف في الندوة بشرى

Scarcely had he commanded when there raced ahead

groups shouting glad tidings in the assembly.

بشروا الأعيان بالند الذي

صدر الأمر به قدس أمرا

They congratulated the notables on the equal whose

appointment had been decreed—a sanctified decree!

ثم وافى بالجواد المجتبى

ساسه قد ألبسوا خزا وشذرا

Then there arrived with the chosen steed

his grooms, clad in silk and gold ornaments.

فدنا مستأنسا لكنه

موشك للريب أن يبعد نفرا

He approached at ease, yet

was liable through misgiving to bolt away,

ناشقا ما حوله ملتفتا

فعل من أوجس كيدا فاقشعرا

sniffing around him, turning his head,

like one who sensed a plot and shuddered,

ساكنا آنا وآنا نزقا

يفحص الموقف أو يهمر همرا

still one moment, skittish another,

pawing the ground or pouring out urine,

مرخيا عذرا طوالا كرمت

عند من لا يرسلون العذر عذرا

letting fall long mane-locks, held in honor

by those who let no excuse pass as an excuse.

بينما يسبل أذنيه وقد

جحظت عيناه إذ يرنو مصرا

Meanwhile he lowered his ears, and

his eyes bulged as he stared intently.

أوشكوا أن يحزوا ثم بدا

فإذا ما ظن من حزن تسرى

They nearly grieved; then something appeared,

and the sadness they had imagined slipped away.

وانبرى من فوره أرغبهم

في رضى الغاشم يسترضي الطمرا

At once there stepped forward the keenest of them

to please the oppressor, seeking to appease the steed,

زاعما مولاه يبلو ودهم

بالذي أهدى ولا يضمر حقرا

claiming that his master was testing their affection

through his gift, and intended no contempt.

وأتم الأنس داعون دعوا

للجواد الشيخ أجلل بك مهرا

Others completed their reassurance by crying

to the old horse, ‘What a splendid colt you are!’

لم يكن مهرا وكم من فرية

بذلت في خطبة للود مهرا

He was no colt; how many a lie

has been offered as a dowry in courting affection!

يا له طرفا بنى الحظ له

في بني أعوج عزا وسبطرى

What a steed! Fortune built for him,

among A‘waj's offspring, glory and stately breadth.

درت الجلسة يف حضرته

فأدار الذيل في جنبيه خطرا

The session proceeded in his presence,

and he swung his tail proudly along his flanks.

وله سامعتا من لم يثق

وله باصرتا من قل مكرا

He had the ears of one who did not trust,

and the eyes of one with little guile.

إن أطالوا جد رفسا وإذا

أقصروا حمحم تأنيبا وزجرا

If they spoke long, he set about kicking; if

they spoke briefly, he whinnied in rebuke and reprimand.

وإذا حرك رأسا أكبروا

وحيه لله ذاك الوحي درا

When he moved his head, they magnified

his revelation: by God, what a pearl of revelation!

كان إمرأ شأنهم من جهلهم

وقديما كان شأن الجهل إمرا

Their ignorance made their conduct monstrous,

and ignorance has always had monstrous ways.

عظموا طرفا وقبلا عبدت

أمم من جهلها ثورا وهرا

They exalted a steed; before them,

nations in their ignorance worshipped a bull and a cat.

ذاك إبداع فليقولا فهل

دونه نيرون في الإبداع حجرا

That was Caligula's invention; is

Nero beneath him in inventive wit?

سنرى إن هو لم يضر به

ما الذي يفعله القوم ليضرى

We shall see, if he has not yet grown addicted to it,

what the people do to make him savage.

لا سقاك الغيث يا جهل فكم

سقيت في كأسك الأقوام مرا

May no rain water you, ignorance! How often

you have poured bitterness for nations in your cup!

أنت أغريت بظلم كل ذي

صولة غير مبال أن يعرا

You incited to injustice everyone possessing

might, heedless of being stripped bare.

وسعت أم القرى ذاك الذي

عقها حمدا كما لو كان برا

The mother of cities embraced that man

who wronged her, with praise, as though he were dutiful.

إن يكلمه الأعزون بها

فامتداحا أن يكلمهم فهجرا

If her most honored men addressed him,

it was in praise; if he addressed them, in abuse.

فمضى في غيه واسترسلت

في مجال الذل تحبيذا وشكرا

He continued in his error, while she continued

along the field of humiliation, approving and thanking.

ألهته أوهمته أنه

مالك الضر منيع أن يضرا

She deified him, made him imagine that he

commanded harm and was immune to being harmed.

فإذا أوضع في تفظيعه

كلما أزرى بها شدته أزرا

So he hurried onward in his atrocities:

whenever he degraded her, she strengthened his support.

كل يوم يدعي فنا فما

هو إلا أن نوى حتى أقرا

Every day he claimed an art; no sooner

had he intended it than he was acknowledged.

قال بي حسن فقالت وبه

يا فقيد الشبه فقت الناس طرا

He said, ‘I have beauty.’ She said, ‘Indeed you do—

matchless one, you have surpassed all mankind!’

فترقى قال إن مطرب

فأجابت وتعيد الصحو سكرا

He climbed higher: ‘I am a singer,’ he said.

She answered, ‘And you turn sobriety into drunkenness!’

فتمادى قال في التصوير لي

غرر قالت وتؤتي الرسم عمرا

He persisted: ‘In painting I have

masterpieces.’ She said, ‘And you give pictures life!’

فتغالى قال في التمثيل لا

شبه لي قالت ويحيي الميت نشرا

He went further: ‘In acting there is no

equal to me.’ She said, ‘And you raise the dead to life!’

فتناهى قال إن شاعر

فأجابت إنما تنظم درا

He reached the utmost: ‘I am a poet,’ he said.

She answered, ‘You string nothing but pearls!’

فعرته جنة زانت له

خطة أدهى على الملك وأزرى

Madness seized him, embellishing for him

a scheme more disastrous and degrading to kingship.

أزمع الرحلة في موكبه

جاشما شقتها بحرا وبرا

He resolved to journey with his procession,

undertaking its hardship by sea and land,

موليا شطر أثينا وجهه

إنه كان لأهل الفن شطرا

turning his face toward Athens:

it was a destination for the people of art.

يتوخى قولها في حقه

إنه أصبح في التمثيل نحرا

He sought her declaration concerning him

that he had become a master of acting.

وكفى من شهدت يوما له

شهرة توليه في الأقطار زخرا

For anyone for whom she once bore witness, enough

was the fame she bestowed abundantly across the lands.

فمضى في أي حشد حاشد

يدع الرحب من الساحات ضجرا

He proceeded amid such a mighty throng

that it left the spacious squares cramped,

بعد أن أوفد رسلا كلفوا

في أثينا دعوة الناس وسفرا

after sending messengers charged

in Athens with summoning the people and making proclamation.

يبتغي إشهادها في محفل

حسنه الطالع في الظلماء بدرا

He sought, in a gathering, her testimony to

his beauty rising like a full moon in darkness,

مسمعا سمارها مزهره

عارضا تمثيله بطنا وظهرا

letting her evening companions hear his lute,

displaying his acting inside and out.

إي وآيات أثينا كان من

شأنها أن تمنح الأخطار دهرا

Yes, by Athens' glories, it had been

her way for ages to confer high standing.

ذاك إذ كانت هي الدار وإذا

كانت الدنيا لتلك الدار قطرا

That was when she was the dwelling, and when

the world was a district of that dwelling.

إنما أمست أثينا عملا

داخلا في دولة الرومان قسرا

But Athens had become a province

forcibly incorporated into the Roman state.

فإذا ما ألفيت شاربة

بعض أمن بالثناء الزور يشرى

So if you found her drinking

a little safety, purchased with false praise,

أو بدت ساخرة من نفسها

تطريء الجهل وما كان ليطرا

or saw her mocking herself,

extolling ignorance that deserved no praise,

فكذاك الرق يدني من على

ويعيد الأمة الحرة عرى

such is slavery: it brings down the lofty

and makes a free nation naked.

ذاك تأويل الحفاوات التي

وهبتها القيصر الممتاح فخرا

That explains the honors

she bestowed on the Caesar who begged for glory.

فقضى مأربه ثم انثنى

برضى من فعل الفعلة بكرا

He fulfilled his desire, then returned

with the satisfaction of one accomplishing a first feat.

ليس آفلون لو ناظره

بمصيب منه غير اللمح شزرا

Apollo, had he contended with him,

would have received nothing but a sidelong glare.

عاد باليمن وكل مضمر

حزنا لكنه يظهر سرا

He returned auspiciously; everyone concealed

sadness, but displayed joy.

فتلقاه بروما أهلها

كتلقي فاتح فتحا أغرا

Rome's people received him

as a conqueror with a glorious victory.

قيصر الأكبر لم يحفل له

هكذا إذ دوخ الدنيا وكرا

The greater Caesar was not celebrated

like this when he subdued the world and returned.

نصبوا الأبواب إكبارا له

وأحاطوا ركبه بالجيش مجرا

They erected gates in his honor

and surrounded his procession with a vast army.

وأقاموا زينة جنح الدجى

جعلت روما سماوات وزهرا

They set up a display in the darkness of night

that made Rome heavens and stars:

زينة ما شهد الخلق لها

قبل ذاك العهد شبها يتحرى

a display whose like mankind had never witnessed

before that age, however they might search.

خلبته واستفزت روعه

فطوى الليل وقد أضمر أمرا

It bewitched him and stirred his mind;

he passed the night concealing a design.

ليجدن بها معجزة

ترهب الأعقاب ما النجم ازمهرا

He would surely create in her a marvel

that would frighten posterity as long as stars shone,

جامعا فيها الأفانين التي

يدعي إتقانها علما وخبرا

combining in it the various arts

he claimed to master through knowledge and experience,

مخرجا أشجى سماع للورى

من لهيب يسدر الأبصار سدرا

bringing forth mankind's most poignant music

from a blaze that dazzled the eyes,

مغربا حسنا وفي مذهبه

أن خير الحسن ما يفعم شرا

creating astonishing beauty—for his doctrine

was that the best beauty brims with evil.

فتقوم الزينة الكبرى بما

بعده لا تذكر الزينات صغرا

Thus the grandest display would arise, after which

the lesser displays would no longer be mentioned.

فاز نيرون بأقصى ما اشتهى

محرقا روما ليستبدع فكرا

Nero attained the utmost of his desire,

burning Rome to devise an original idea,

بعد أن حصل في تمثيله

ما به أصبح في التمثيل شهرا

after acquiring through his acting

what made him renowned as an actor.

شبت النار بها ليلا وقد

رقدت أمتها وسنى وسكرى

Fire broke out in her at night, while

her people slept, drowsy and drunken.

شعلة من كل صوب نهضت

ومشت دفا وإحضارا وعبرا

A flame rose from every direction

and advanced, gliding, galloping, and crossing onward.

زحفت رابية مضرمة

تلتقيها في عناق الوهج أخرى

A burning hill crept forward;

another met it in the blaze's embrace.

جمعت أقسام روما كلها

في جحيم تصهر الأجسام صهرا

They gathered all Rome's quarters

into a hell that melted bodies utterly.

فالمباني تتهاوى والجذى

تترامى والدمى تنقض جمرا

Buildings collapsed, and firebrands

flew about, while statues fell in glowing embers.

والأناسي حيارى ذهل

غامروا هولا وساء الهول غمرا

People were bewildered, dazed;

they plunged into horror—what an evil abyss of horror!

خوض في الوقد إلا نفرا

تخذوا الأشلاء فوق الوقد جسرا

Wading through the blaze, except for a few

who made a bridge of severed bodies over the fire.

والضواري انطلقت لا تأتلي

ما التقت عضا وتمزيقا وكسرا

Ravening beasts broke loose, sparing nothing

they encountered, biting, tearing, and breaking.

هجمت للفتك ثم انهزمت

فزعات ساريات كل مسرى

They attacked to kill, then fled,

terrified, roaming along every path.

كثر اللحم شواء حولها

وتأبت بعد جهد الصوم فطرا

Roasted flesh abounded around them,

yet after the ordeal of fasting they refused to eat.

تتهادى مهراقا دمها

وبها ضعضعة النازف خمرا

They staggered, their blood pouring out,

with the unsteadiness of one overcome by wine.

دفق التبر ضياء ودما

مستفيض اللج ياقوتا وتبرا

The Tiber poured light and blood,

its depths overflowing with rubies and gold.

كان بالأمس كمرآة صفت

ربما كدرها الطائر نقرا

Yesterday it had been like a clear mirror,

sometimes clouded by a bird's pecking.

تلتقي فيها صروح عبست

قاتمات وربى تبسم خضرا

In it met frowning towers,

dark, and hills smiling green.

فإذا مرت نسيمات بها

حطمتها قددا ربدا وغرا

When little breezes passed over it,

they shattered them into gray, dusty strips.

حبذا عندئذ منظرها

منظرا والتبر في الأنهار نهرا

How lovely its appearance was then,

a sight to behold, the Tiber a river among rivers!

إذ ترى الأمواج فيه أعرضت

مالئات صفحات الماء سحرا

You saw its waves turn broadside,

filling the water's surfaces with enchantment,

كجوار سابحات خرد

سابقات في تباريها وحسرى

like shy young maidens swimming,

leading in their races, and weary,

لاهيات مغربات ضحكا

آمنات لمحات الريب طهرا

playing, laughing uproariously,

pure, safe from suspicious glances.

أرسل الحسن على أكتافها

من ضفير الزبد المذهب شعرا

Beauty let fall upon their shoulders

hair braided from golden foam.

كل غيداء رداح ناوحت

بيد عبرا وبالأخمص عبرا

Each supple, full-hipped maiden swayed,

stroking across with a hand, kicking across with a sole.

هي نور الروض أو أزهى حلى

وهي غصن الرند أو أرشق خصرا

She was the garden's blossom, or a brighter adornment,

a laurel branch, or more slender at the waist.

تارة تبدو وطورا لا ترى

وتناهي الظرف إذ ترفض ذرا

Sometimes she appeared, sometimes was unseen,

and grace reached its height as she scattered her crests.

أين تلك العين هل حالت إلى

جنة وارتد برد الماء سعرا

Where are those wide-eyed maidens? Have they become

demons, and the water's coolness turned to flame?

أصبحت سود سعال ساقها

سائق يوسعها حثا ونهرا

They became black she-ghouls, driven

by a driver urging and rebuking them relentlessly,

في مسوح من قتار يجتلى

أرجوان تحتها من حيث تفرى

in sackcloth of smoke, beneath which

purple appeared wherever it was torn.

عاد صافي اللون منها رنقا

وضحوك الوجه منها مكفهرا

Their clear complexion became murky,

and their smiling faces became grim.

شرقت لماتها أصبغة

ورنت أعينها النجلاء خزرا

Their locks were choked with dyes,

and their wide eyes glanced askance.

صار غسلينا حميما غسلها

كاسبا من حر ما جاور حرا

Their bath became foul, boiling discharge,

gaining heat from the heat of what lay beside it.

أي بنات الماء غبن بين

أن ترى سودا وما أبهاك شقرا

O daughters of the water, what a manifest loss,

to be seen black—how lovely you were fair!

ذاك ما أحدثه البغي وهل

أدرك الصفو فلم يردده كدرا

That is what tyranny wrought; has it ever

encountered purity without turning it murky?

قام سور حول روما ساطع

ناشرا أعلامه كمتا وصفرا

A radiant wall arose around Rome,

unfurling its banners, reddish-brown and yellow,

تحت جو ملئت أرجاؤه

من تلظيها قتاما مسبكرا

beneath a sky whose expanses were filled

by her blazing with towering smoke.

ينظر الغاشم في أقسامها

حذقه رسما وموسيقى وشعرا

The oppressor gazed upon her quarters, seeing

his skill in painting, music, and poetry.