1. People went astray, no right or guidance remained,
They lost the way, no messengers obeyed, no armies stood.

2. If you consult souls in matters,
What sword have you to consult?

3. If you examine them thoroughly,
The end of all time will come and the examination will not end.

4. I go on counting the sins of this world
Until my ambition ran out and counting ceased.

5. I suffered from one who turns his hearing from deterrents,
So he transgresses, and preaching makes him more stubborn.

6. The misguided say, "Glory and power!"
But I see no power or glory.

7. I see people as equals, glory belongs to no man
Unless, like fate itself, he has no match.

8. By this I judge both friend and foe,
And one like me knows enmity and love.

9. People slept around me, both loving and hating,
But no love misguided me, no hate perturbed me.

10. My Nile folk! I see none singled out among you,
Nor claim to be the unique poet.

11. Building lasting glory among you is not established
Throughout time, morals come and go.

12. Blaming fate is enough, my Nile folk, that it
Allows a lifetime to ruler and serf alike.

13. You blame the days though they are ever the same,
So do not blame till your days remain the same.

14. If the hyena springs to prey recklessly,
Do not wonder which hyena does not prey.

15. Flat plains and marked pastures were not made by Dahis
For sport before,

16. My Nile folk, be resolute in demands and truthful,
No glory without resolve and truth.

17. Courage until the lion recoils from roses,
And the brave man is perplexed by his fears.

18. We will mount it skittish, pulling its reins,
And hurl it against the mindless, none to stop it.

19. It is just a cloud of dust arising,
Then no horizon but the darkest gloom.