1. The kings have lied, and those who seek
Honor from them, claiming they are noble.

2. Ranks and titles that delude, holding
No pride for their bearer, no ascendance.

3. Now sold, now mere trickery,
Craved at the worst of times by princes.

4. How many a rank, how the fool rejoices
At attaining, though it brings but pain and woe.

5. If he but knew its baseness and disgrace,
Vanity and arrogance would quickly flee.

6. Honor is found where deeds are good,
Though mouths speak only evil and lies.

7. Ignorance it is, and vain conceit; such
Are the acts of the ignorant and foolish.

8. The sin of kings has cast nations into calamity,
Bowed down by a burden the humble endure.

9. Glory is no glory when kings have toyed with it.
Praise is no praise after what they have done.

10. They turned from true honor and brought about
Whatever wild fancies and whims dictated.

11. They raised the rabble above the noble, till
Values became confused and matters muddled.

12. They claimed wealth a virtue, and so ensured
The ruin that the kings claimed was advancement.

13. Woe to them that ignored their God
And craved only worldly increase.

14. They clothed the weak in finery, and from his refuse
Were spun silken robes of brilliant hue.

15. On the ruins of his walls and towers
Palaces are raised, lofty and proud.

16. When shepherds have lost the ways of guidance,
The rightly guided go astray and the wise run mad.

17. When the physician casts his patient’s illness upon him,
Who then can hope for the sickness to pass?

18. If honor dwelt amongst kings, rocks would bloom
And the darkness glow with light.

19. Oppression runs rife, the innocent scourged,
And the poor and weak made to suffer.

20. Truth and justice are neglected; good faith
Amongst them is but phantasm and mirage.

21. They built their thrones upon bloodshed, yet
Ships endure only so long as they displace water.