| arberry | |
|---|---|
| 1. * | When the Terror descends |
| 2. * | (and none denies its descending) |
| 3. * | abasing, exalting, |
| 4. * | when the earth shall be rocked |
| 5. * | and the mountains crumbled |
| 6. * | and become a dust, scattered, |
| 7. * | and you shall be three bands -- |
| 8. * | Companions of the Right (O Companions of the Right!) |
| 9. * | Companions of the Left (O Companions of the Left!) |
| 10. * | and the Outstrippers: the Outstrippers |
| 11. * | those are they brought nigh the Throne, |
| 12. * | in the Gardens of Delight |
| 13. * | (a throng of the ancients |
| 14. * | and how few of the later folk) |
| 15. * | upon close-wrought couches |
| 16. * | reclining upon them, set face to face, |
| 17. * | immortal youths going round about them |
| 18. * | with goblets, and ewers, and a cup from a spring |
| 19. * | (no brows throbbing, no intoxication) |
| 20. * | and such fruits as they shall choose, |
| 21. * | and such flesh of fowl as they desire, |
| 22. * | and wide-eyed houris |
| 23. * | as the likeness of hidden pearls, |
| 24. * | a recompense for that they laboured. |
| 25. * | Therein they shall hear no idle talk, no cause of sin, |
| 26. * | only the saying 'Peace, Peace!' |
| 27. * | The Companions of the Right (O Companions of the Right!) |
| 28. * | mid thornless lote-trees |
| 29. * | and serried acacias, |
| 30. * | and spreading shade |
| 31. * | and outpoured waters, |
| 32. * | and fruits abounding |
| 33. * | unfailing, unforbidden, |
| 34. * | and upraised couches. |
| 35. * | Perfectly We formed them, perfect, |
| 36. * | and We made them spotless virgins, |
| 37. * | chastely amorous, |
| 38. * | like of age for the Companions of the Right. |
| 39. * | A throng of the ancients |
| 40. * | and a throng of the later folk. |
| 41. * | The Companions of the Left (O Companions of the Left!) |
| 42. * | mid burning winds and boiling waters |
| 43. * | and the shadow of a smoking blaze |
| 44. * | neither cool, neither goodly; |
| 45. * | and before that they lived at ease, |
| 46. * | and persisted in the Great Sin, |
| 47. * | ever saying, 'What, when we are dead and become dust and bones, shall we indeed be raised up? |
| 48. * | What, and our fathers, the ancients?' |
| 49. * | Say: 'The ancients, and the later folk |
| 50. * | shall be gathered to the appointed time of a known day. |
| 51. * | Then you erring ones, you that cried lies, |
| 52. * | you shall eat of a tree called Zakkoum, |
| 53. * | and you shall fill therewith your bellies |
| 54. * | and drink on top of that boiling water |
| 55. * | lapping it down like thirsty camels.' |
| 56. * | This shall be their hospitality on the Day of Doom. |
| 57. * | We created you; therefore why will you not believe? |
| 58. * | Have you considered the seed you spill? |
| 59. * | Do you yourselves create it, or are We the Creators? |
| 60. * | We have decreed among you Death; We shall not be outstripped; |
| 61. * | that We may exchange the likes of you, and make you to grow again in a fashion you know not. |
| 62. * | You have known the first growth; so why will you not remember? |
| 63. * | Have you considered the soil you till? |
| 64. * | Do you yourselves sow it, or are We the Sowers? |
| 65. * | Did We will, We would make it broken orts, and you would remain bitterly jesting -- |
| 66. * | 'We are debt-loaded; |
| 67. * | nay, we have been robbed!' |
| 68. * | Have you considered the water you drink? |
| 69. * | Did you send it down from the clouds, or did We send it? |
| 70. * | Did We will, We would make it bitter; so why are you not thankful? |
| 71. * | Have you considered the fire you kindle? |
| 72. * | Did you make its timber to grow, or did We make it? |
| 73. * | We Ourselves made it for a reminder, and a boon to the desert-dwellers. |
| 74. * | Then magnify the Name of thy Lord, the All-mighty. |
| 75. * | No! I swear by the fallings of the stars |
| 76. * | (and that is indeed a mighty oath, did you but know it) |
| 77. * | it is surely a noble Koran |
| 78. * | in a hidden Book |
| 79. * | none but the purified shall touch, |
| 80. * | a sending down from the Lord of all Being. |
| 81. * | What, do you hold this discourse in disdain, |
| 82. * | and do you make it your living to cry lies? |
| 83. * | Why, but when the soul leaps to the throat of the dying |
| 84. * | and that hour you are watching |
| 85. * | (And We are nigher him than you, but you do not see Us) |
| 86. * | why, if you are not at Our disposal, |
| 87. * | do you not bring back his soul, if you speak truly? |
| 88. * | Then, if he be of those brought nigh the Throne, |
| 89. * | there shall be repose and ease, and a Garden of Delight; |
| 90. * | and if he be a Companion of the Right: |
| 91. * | 'Peace be upon thee, Companion of the Right!' |
| 92. * | But if he be of them that cried lies, and went astray, |
| 93. * | there shall be a hospitality of boiling water |
| 94. * | and the roasting in Hell. |
| 95. * | Surely this is the truth of certainty. |
| 96. * | Then magnify the Name of thy Lord, the All-mighty. |