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and death, decision and indecision, aspiration and frustration, is but
"a phantom of the night". The last line re-echoes the meaning in the
first line. As if blindfold, man slowly walks the distance to his
grave. He is born to die, and every moment of his life brings him
closer to his doom. This, the poet believes, is the only indisputable
truth man should always be aware of.
STATEMENT OF QUALITY
Carlyle's translation is exquisitely written. He maintained both
the form and content of the original message. Each line in the source
poem is rendered in a four-line stanza rhyming alternatively. The
translation unmistakably reflects the spirit and potential of the
original. Carlyle skillfully manoeuvres with the extended meaning in
the second, third, and fourth stanzas in which the 'stream' metaphor
unfolds. With exceptional ease and artistic craftsmanship, he utilizes
the stylistic potential of English to crystallize the skeletal meaning
of the original message. The thematic progression is maintained
throughout the English version. Figurative and stylistic devices are
evenly distributed. The emotive impact of the Arabic poem is
sustained, and even more intensified, in the translated text.
Carlyle's translation is, admittedly, an excellent one.
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