عاد عهد المدير في اعين الناس

حميدا وأقصر اللوام

The director's tenure returned, in people's eyes,

to good repute, and the reproachers desisted.

وتقضى بغي البغاة عليهم

وتقضى الاعنات والإرغام

The oppressors' oppression spent itself against them,

and harassment and coercion came to an end.

ساسهم ماهر بعدل فأنسى

ما جناه الجهال والظلام

Mahir governed them justly, making them forget

what the ignorant and the tyrants had committed.

لا يرى جانف إليه سبيلا

ويراها الحريب والمستضام

No wrongdoer finds a path to him,

but the despoiled and the wronged find it.

جانب الرفق منه دان

ولكنج انب الحق عنده لا يرام

His gentle side is close at hand,

but with him the side of right is unassailable.

ثبتت فيه خالدات المعاني

وانتفى ما أعارهن الرغام

Immortal virtues stood firm within him,

and what dust had lent them fell away.

فله والشخوص تطوى نشور

وله والسنون تفنى دوام

His is resurrection, while human forms are folded away;

his is endurance, while the years perish.

نصف في الرجال سمح المحيا

لا يطول الانداد منه القوام

A man in life's middle, gracious of countenance,

his stature did not surpass his peers'.

غير سبط اليدين إلا إذا ما

عني الفضل منه والإنعام

Not open-handed, except when

generosity and beneficence were intended from him.

حسن السمت والسجية في كل

نبيل مرآتها الهندام

Good bearing and character, in every

noble man, have his attire for their mirror.

في اساريره لمن يجتليها

يتراءى الذكاء والإقدام

In his facial lines, to those who study them,

intelligence and resolve reveal themselves.

مطمئن بنفسه وإليها

رابط الجأش والصروف ضخام

Confident in himself and at peace with himself,

steadfast of heart though vicissitudes loom great.

ابتلك الحياة والعجب الماليء

أقسامها يحيط كلام

Can that life, and the wonder filling

its every part, be encompassed by words?

بدئت نهضة البلاد وفياه

من سماء الرجاء برق يشام

The country's awakening began, and within it

lightning from the sky of hope was watched.

لا وذكراه إنها لشعاع

ليس يغشاه في النفوس قتام

No—by his memory! It is indeed a ray

that no dark haze veils within souls.

هي ذكرى بمثلها العزة

القعساء في كل أمة تستدام

It is a remembrance through whose like pride,

unyielding, is perpetuated in every nation.

وعلى قدر ما تجددها الأقوام

تقوى وتمجد الاقفوام

In proportion as peoples renew it,

they grow stronger and more glorious.

تكرم اليوم مصر من مات

في عقبى جهاد وحقه الإكرام

Today Egypt honors the man who died

at the close of struggle, and honor is his due.

يوم فخر شهدتموه فما غاب

به نيلها ولا الأهرام

A day of pride you witnessed; from it

neither her Nile nor the Pyramids was absent.

ذلك الراحل الذي شفه من

همها فوق ما يشف السقام

That departed man, whom care

for her wore down more than sickness could.

وقضى في تحول الحال ثبتا

لم يحل عهده لها والذمام

He died steadfast amid changing circumstances,

never breaking his pledge to her or his covenant.

طالعوا رسمه الجميل وفيه

كل زاه من الحلى يستام

Look upon his handsome portrait, where

every radiant adornment may be sought.

فهو يرنو كأنه عاد حيا

يملأ العين وجهه البسام

He gazes as though he had returned alive,

his smiling face filling the eye.

أي شكر من الذين تولوا

أن يبشوا الى الذين أقاموا

What gratitude from those who have departed,

to smile upon those who remain!

أي شكر من الذين تولوا

أن يبثوا إلى الذين أقاموا

What gratitude from those who have departed,

to convey it to those who remain!

من لشعري بأ يمثله أبقى

على الدهر من مثال يقام

Who will help my verse portray him more enduringly

through time than a statue erected?

كيف أضحى على الحداثة في ذلك

وهو المدرب العلام

How, despite his youth in that, did he become

the seasoned expert, the man of vast knowledge?

يفتق الحيلة الذكاء ويبدي

فضل تلك الأدارة الاستخدام

Intelligence opens up resourceful ways, and reveals

the merit of that administration in practice.

ومع الصبر والعزيمة تخضر

الموامي ويستدر الجهام

With patience and resolve, green grow

the desert wastes, and rain is drawn from rainless clouds.

زال ذاك الديوان بعد وفاء الدين

وانفض شمله المتلام

That bureau ceased after the debt was paid,

and its close-knit company dispersed.

فخلا ماهر وما زال فيه

تحت ماء العود النضير ضرام

Mahir was left unoccupied, yet within him remained

fire beneath the sap of the fresh branch.

كان لا يألف القرار وبالإغماد

يصدى ويصدأ الصمصام

He could not grow used to repose; when sheathed,

the keen sword grows thirsty and rusts.

فاستمد الهدى ليأتنف السير

وطال التفكير والإنعام

So he sought guidance to begin his journey anew,

and long were his pondering and close reflection.

فهواه هوى البلاد ومن هام

رأى الغيب قلبه المستهام

His passion was the country's passion; one enraptured

sees the unseen through his love-stricken heart.

والمحب الابر من قاده وحي

هواه ولم يقده الزمام

The most devoted lover is led by the inspiration

of his love, not led by a rein.

نشأت في الحمى نقابة خير

لسراة البلاد فيها انتظام

Within the homeland arose a benevolent association,

uniting the country's leading men.

تبذل النفس والنفيس احتسابا

خالصا واملرام نعم المرام

Giving life and treasure in pursuit of divine reward,

with pure intent—how worthy the goal!

ما عناها إلا السواد الذي يشقى

ومن حظ غيره الإنعام

Its only concern was the toiling multitude,

while bounty was the lot of others.

ألسواد الذي يقوم على الأرض

واقرانه هي الانعام

The multitude that labors upon the land,

whose fellows are the cattle.

تتوخى له النصيحة والرشد

وتحمي ضعافه أن يضاموا

It seeks for them good counsel and guidance,

and shields their weak from being wronged.

جمعت شملها وقدم فيالجمع

كريم مقدموه كرام

It gathered its members, and at the gathering was put forward

a noble man whose sponsors were noble.

حمل العبء ماهر وهو من يحسن

تدبير كل أمر يسام

Mahir bore the burden, for he knows well

how to manage every task imposed.

إن أريد الضياء فهو شهاب

أو أريد المضاء فهو حسام

If light is sought, he is a meteor;

if decisive force is sought, he is a sharp sword.

فأرانا كيف التعاون والركنان

فيه نزاهة ووئام

He showed us what cooperation is, its two pillars

being integrity and harmony.

وارانا كيف الصراحة والصدق

وكيف الإتقان والإحكام

And showed us what frankness and truth are,

and what mastery and precision are.

وأرانا ما يعمر الصبر

والإيمان مما يدك الاستسلام

And showed us what patience builds,

with faith, from what surrender demolishes.

وأرانا أن الزعامة ضرب

من إخاء لا سائم ومسام

And showed us that leadership is a kind

of brotherhood, not a driver and the driven.

والجماعات إخوة وفخار

للمولين أنهم خدام

The communities are brothers, and it is an honor

for those in office that they are servants.

ثم كان اليوم الذي ندبته

مصر فيه والأمر أمر جسام

Then came the day when she summoned him—

Egypt—and the matter was momentous.

رب يوم بين المنى والمنايا

كان أحجى في مثله الإحجام

Many a day between hopes and deaths

would have made holding back the wiser course.

موقف عدت الوزارة وزرا

فيه والمنذرات سحب ركام

A situation in which the ministry was deemed a burden,

and the portents were piled-up clouds.

غير أن التأثيم قد يخطيء المرمى

إلى حيث لا يكون أُام

Yet assigning guilt may miss its mark,

striking where there is no sin.

ومن النقض فيالتجارب ما يصلحه

في العواقب الإقبرام

And some unraveling in trials is repaired

in the outcome by binding fast.

فانبرى ماهر ينافح عن رأي

وإن جل دونه ما يسام

Mahir rose to defend a conviction,

though great were the burdens laid in its path.

في رفاق جدوا فجادت عليههم

بالذي لم تجد به الأيام

among comrades who strove and received lavishly

what the days had never lavished before.

مهد الشوط آخرون ومنهم

كان في آخر المدى الاقتحام

Others had paved the course, and from their ranks

came the final charge at the course's end.

ملك مصر القديم عاد جديدا

مستتبا جلاله والنظام

Egypt's ancient sovereignty was renewed,

its majesty and order made secure.

وبناء الدستور رد وطيدا

مستقرا عماده والدعام

The constitution's edifice was made firm again,

its pillars and supports secure.

دع سوى هذه البداءة مما

كان فيه التعقيب والإتمام

Leave aside what came beyond this beginning,

its continuations and completions,

بفتوح ترد في كل يوم

من حقوق ما ضيعت أعوام

through victories restoring, day after day,

rights that years had squandered.

رجعت بسطة الاجانب قبضا

واستقرت في أهلها الاحكام

The foreigners' expanding power drew back,

and authority settled with its own people.

ولريب الزمان يعتد ما يعتده

للطوارئ الاحزام

Against time's reversals he made the preparations

that prudent men make for emergencies.

إنما القصد عاصم من مزلات

كبار تزلها الاقدام

Thrift is a safeguard against pitfalls,

great ones, into which feet slip.

قل لمن يزدري الحطا من الاخطار

ما لا يصون إلا الحطام

Tell him who scorns precautions against dangers

as guarding nothing but worldly goods:

كيف يرجى مع الخصاص أمن

لامرئ من هوانها واعتصام

How can safety be hoped for amid poverty,

or shelter for a man from its humiliation?

ومن القصد صحة الجسم هل تسلم

إلا بالحيطة الأجسام

Bodily health is part of prudence; is there safety

for bodies except through care?

إن بقيا الفتى على الجسم والبقيا

على المال في الخلال تؤام

Indeed, a man's care for his body, and his care

for wealth, are twin traits.

تلك حال رشيدة كان يؤتم

بها مصطفى ونعم الامام

That was a wise course, in which

Mustafa was followed—an excellent exemplar.

نزهتها عن كل ذام أياديه

الحميدات والمساعي الجسام

His favors kept it free from every reproach,

those praiseworthy favors and mighty endeavors.

سل به تدر كيف تقطع أسباب

التعادي وتوصل الأرحام

Ask about him, and learn how causes are severed

of enmity, and kinship bonds are joined;

وتعان المحصنات الأيامى

وتعال العفاة والأيتام

how chaste unmarried women are aided,

and petitioners and orphans sustained.

إن يخب سائل فما خاب يوما

في ذراه المؤمل المعتام

A petitioner may be disappointed, but never was

a hopeful, needy man disappointed in his shelter.

أأريكم ما كان ينفق فيه

وقته حين يستطاب الجمام

Shall I show you where he spent

his time when rest was most inviting?

تلك آيات من فقدنا وما دونت

منها هو اللباب العظام

These are signs of the man we lost; what I recorded

of them is their great, essential core.

صدرت عن خلال نفس جدير

كنهها أن يماط عنه اللثام

They sprang from the traits of a soul deserving

to have the veil lifted from its true nature.

نفس حر أخلاقه نسق تصدق

فيها الهواء والوغام

A free man's soul: his virtues form a harmony, proven true

in the air [text unclear] and the din of battle.

ما بها نبوة على أنه الوادع

آنا وآنا الضرغام

No discord mars it, though he is gentle

at one time, and at another a lion.

كان في نفسه عظيما فما يزهيه

من حيث جاءه الإعظام

He was great in himself, and honor did not puff him up,

from whatever quarter it came.

لا يرى منه في السجايا

وفي الآداب إلا توافق وانسجام

Nothing was seen in his character,

or in his manners, except concord and harmony.

كلما زيد رتبة أو وساما

لم تفرحة رتبة أو وسام

Whenever he was granted rank or a decoration,

neither rank nor decoration made him exult.

إن سيف الجهاد وهو عتاد

لا يجلي وقد يحلي الكهام

The sword of struggle, being a weapon,

is not burnished, though a blunt blade may be adorned.

حكم العقل في تصرفه فهو

الملاك المتين وهو القوام

He made reason the judge of his conduct, for it is

the firm foundation and the sustaining pillar.

وتجافى السير المريب فلم يلحق

بأطراف ظله الاتهام

He shunned suspicious paths, so accusation never reached

even the edges of his shadow.

يتقي الحادثات من قبل

أن تحدث والظن بعضه إلهام

He guarded against misfortunes before

they happened; some surmise is inspiration.

بين تثبت الحقائق فيه

ناصعات وتنتفي الوهام

In him the facts stood clear and firm,

radiant, while delusions fell away.

من يكون الجليس يصغي إليه

سامعوه وللووه ابتسام

What a companion he is! To him listen

his hearers, smiles upon their faces.

طرفة من تنادر مستحب

إثر أخرى والبادرات سجام

One delightful jest

follows another, his quick sallies pouring down.

من خطيب يشفى أوام بما يلقي

ويذكو إلى السماع أوام

What an orator, slaking thirst through his words,

yet kindling a thirst to listen!

نبرات كأنها زأرات

ولحون كأنها أنغام

Inflections like roars,

and cadences like melodies.

كل عمر إلى ختام ولكن

راع فيك القلوب هذا الختام

Every life comes to an end, but

this end of yours terrified hearts.

أي سهم رميت في صدر ولهى

بك كان ترد عنها السهام

What an arrow you shot into a breast yearning

for you—you who used to ward arrows from her!

ذات صون وعصمة لم ينلها

فيحماك الأذى ولا الإيلام

A woman guarded and chaste, whom neither

harm nor pain reached within your protection.

من رواعي الذمام ما دام في القلب

ذماء وفي الوفاء ذمام

Among the keepers of covenant, while in the heart

life's last spark remained, and fidelity held a pledge.

غير هذي النوى وما أعقبته

كل حال عداك فيها الذام

Apart from this parting and what followed it,

every circumstance left you free of blame.

جارك الله والثواب جليل

فامض يا مصطفى عليك السلام

May God shelter you; great is the reward.

Go then, Mustafa; peace be upon you.

هذه كتبه يعود إليها

وهي أزكى ما تثمر الأقلام

These are his books, to which he returns,

the purest fruits that pens produce.

أين منها النديم والخمر العابق

طيبا وأين منها المدام

Where beside them are the companion and wine fragrant

with sweetness—and where beside them is the vintage?

يكشف العيش عن مباهجه فيها

وتسلى الشجون والآلآم

In them life unveils its delights,

and griefs and pains are soothed.

وتناجى بما يسر ويسجي

يقظات الأفكار والاحلام

And one is softly told what gladdens and stills

the wakeful stirrings of thoughts and dreams.

غير كأن المطالعات على التثقيف

عون وليس فيها التمام

Yet reading seems, toward self-cultivation,

an aid, not full attainment.

وابتغاء التمام كان يجوب الأرض

ذاك المهذب الهمام

Seeking completeness, he would roam the earth,

that cultured, resolute man.

طاف ما طاف تحت كل سماء

عائدا كلما تلا العام عام

He traveled far and wide beneath every sky,

returning whenever one year followed another.

ليس في أمة غريبا وما من

لغة ما له بها إلمام

In no nation was he a stranger, and there was no

language of which he had no knowledge.

يستفيد الطريف من كل فن

ولمصر مما جناه اغتنام

He gained fresh knowledge from every art,

and Egypt benefited from what he gathered.

أيها النازح الذي خلف اسما

أكبرته فيا لمشرقين الأنام

O departed one, who left a name

that humankind in the two Easts held in honor!

من يكون الأديب بعدك لا إغراب

في قوله ولا إعجام

Who after you shall be the man of letters, with no outlandishness

in his speech, and no obscurity?