Fazlollah Nikayin, The Quran; The First Poetic Translation (2000)
But do not roam the earth to spread corruption!"
61. Remember that you grumbled: "O You Moses,
Patient we will not be at all, we're bored
With this monotonous food, call on your Lord,
To give us varied, earthly crops like: beans,
Cucumbers, garlic,1 lentils, and fresh onions!"
"What", wondered he" Exchanging something finer
For what is surely meaner?!
Well, go down to some Egypt where you'll find,
Every thing you demand!"
To shame and squalor were they thus condemned,
And did incur the wrath of God; because
Faithless were they in Allah's Signs 2 and did
Kill their own prophets for no rightful cause;
That is because they often disobeyed,
And did transgress indeed.
62. Believers,3 Jews and Christians and Sabeans 4
All who believe in God and the Last Day,
And do good works, leading a righteous life,
Will be respectively rewarded by
Their Lord; they'll have no fear, they'll know no grief.
63. Behold, We made with you a covenant,
As We above you raised the Mountain:5
"Hold fast to the commands We've to you given
And bear in mind what they contain,
This might enable you to self-restain.6
1. Or "corn" or "wheat".
2. Revelations.
3. In the Quran: or Muslims.
4. Most probably the followers of Prophet John (the Baptist).
5. The Mount Sinai.
6. Be godfearing, virtuous or pious.
