1. He deliberately stirred up its dust
And ignited its fire out of deceit and betrayal

2. He prepared in secret, so he would let down
His guard for war as a cover

3. And he openly professed his love for peace
And secretly whetted the blades of turmoil

4. And made entering into it appealing to his allies
And enticed them into it out of malice and cunning

5. And seduced them just as Satan once
Seduced Eve in a living form

6. And made the murder of his ally's son in
Sarajevo a reason and excuse for it

7. And he said to the state of Austria rouse
Against the flock which strung and played your strings

8. So it obeyed him and unleashed from Vienna
That which made the sons of Belgrade taste bitterness

9. And this was the beginning of sorrows
From it, evil spread and grew rife