Are your infidels, O Meccans, better men than these? Is there an exemption for you in the sacred Books? Will they say, "We are a host that lend one another aid?" The host shall be routed, and they shall turn them back. But, that Hour is their threatened time, and that Hour shall be most severe and bitter. Verily, the wicked are sunk in bewilderment and folly. On that day they shall be dragged into the fire on their faces. "Taste ye the touch of Hell." All things have we created after a fixed decree: Our command was but one word, swift as the twinkling of an eye. Of old, too, have we destroyed the like of you-yet is any one warned? And everything that they do is in the Books;2 Each action, both small and great, is written down. Verily, amid gardens3 and rivers shall the pious dwell. In the seat of truth, in the presence of the potent King. _______________________ 1 See Sura [lvi.] xxvi. 155; also Sura [lxxxvii.] vii. 71. 2 Kept by the Guardian Angels. 3 The Talmudic descriptions of the Gardens-for the later Jews believed in more than one Paradise-and of the rivers and trees therein, will be found in Schr der Talm. Rabb. Judenthum, pp. 418-432. SURA XXXVII.-THE RANKS [L.] MECCA.-182 Verses In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful By the angels ranged in order for Songs of Praise, And by those who repel demons,1 And by those who recite the Koran for warning, Truly your God is but one, Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth, and of all that is between them, and Lord of the East.2 We have adorned the lower heaven with the adornment of the stars. They serve also as a guard against every rebellious Satan, That they overhear not what passeth in the assembly on high, for they are darted at from every side,3 Driven off and consigned to a lasting torment; While, if one steal a word by stealth, a glistening flame pursueth him. Ask the Meccans then, Are they, or the angels whom we have made, the stronger creation? Aye, of coarse clay have we created them. But while thou marvellest they mock; When they are warned, no warning do they take; And when they see a sign, they fall to mocking, And say, "This is no other than clear sorcery: What! when dead, and turned to dust and bones, shall we indeed be raised? Our sires also of olden times?" Say, Yes; and ye shall be covered with disgrace. For, one blast only, and lo! they shall gaze around them, And shall say, "Oh! woe to us! this is the day of reckoning; This is the day of decision which ye gainsaid as an untruth." Gather together those who have acted unjustly, and their consorts,4 and the gods whom they adored Beside God; and guide them to the road for Hell. Set them forth: they shall be questioned. "How now, that ye help not one another?" But on this day they shall submit themselves to God, And shall address one another with mutual reproaches. They shall say, "In sooth, ye came to us in well-omened sort:"5