الشُّعَرَاء

So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: "Of course - shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win?

He said: "Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person)."

Moses said to them: "Throw ye - that which ye are about to throw!"

So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: "By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!"

Then Moses threw his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake!

Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration,

Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,

"The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

Said (Pharaoh): "Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!"

They said: "No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord!

"Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!"

By inspiration we told Moses: "Travel by night with my servants; for surely ye shall be pursued."

Then Pharaoh sent heralds to (all) the Cities,

(Saying): "These (Israelites) are but a small band,

"And they are raging furiously against us;

"But we are a multitude amply fore-warned."

So We expelled them from gardens, springs,

Treasures, and every kind of honourable position;

Thus it was, but We made the Children of Israel inheritors of such things.

So they pursued them at sunrise.