1. From the people's tears and their toil,
And from the blood of the nation boiling,

2. The wicked rule over its finest,
If only the finest could rule over the wicked.

3. How religion is made into ropes,
To strangle reformers in their cradles,

4. Misfortune has bitten it, and who has bitten
Except a mouth that sips in ecstasy?

5. It wallows the nation in vileness,
And steals from the nation in its plenty.

6. It suffered with him and his peers,
Whether the offender is near or far.

7. Bloated, he frolics immersed
In frivolity, like a hunter with his prey,

8. Like a hyena made arrogant
By his ugliness, mocking his leader.

9. No singing girl gave him a kiss,
Except as one who mocks his sanity,

10. Or gave him a sweet joke,
Except its meaning mocked his judgement.

11. Until, O people, your misguidance
Empowers the wicked towards his purpose.

12. We hoped he would be an example of guidance,
But he became the tyrant in his hatred.

13. We sang to him the songs of glory,
But he became the turncoat from our praise of him.

14. We would have ransomed him with our souls,
For his lofty spirit and his asceticism.

15. What has happened that he became a rake,
The wandering deceiver of his word?

16. Until he mocks your glories,
Until, and disgrace is his glory.

17. Until he ventures freely in his ignorance,
Until, and the rabble are his troops.

18. Until your banners submit to him,
Until, he is meaner than his slave.

19. The wisest of you is beneath the earth,
If the dead could be wise in their graves.