Egypt's Good Fortune Poem by Mahmoud Sami Al Baroudi

Egypt's good fortune has changed beyond recognition,
and the foundation of the kingdom have been violently
shaken so that the very birds were frightened.
The cultivator, as a result of tyranny, has neglected his land;
and the merchant, from fear of poverty,
has withdrawn his money.
Such dread has become so dominate that none can sleep
in the dead of night, but remain, vigilant.
Woe to such a land! Were it not for the greatest heritage
buried therein we would not have lived in its vicinity.
I tolerate it though it gives me no blessing ,
My hope would be elsewhere were it not for my poeple.
My soul, do not despair,
for good is expected and the will of a man
of patience does not weaken.
Perhaps a glream of light will illuminate the way,
after a night in which darkness has prevailed.
I see souls no longer able to bear their burdens;
I see sword bearers about to unsheath their swords.