1. Peace be upon you, and upon hearts that make peace.
Blessed is this place frequented and honored.

2. My countrymen, I thank you for responding
To your request—let my blood flow as you command!

3. Yet if you would permit me, I ask:
Why have you sought out a poet, moved to chant?

4. Does the rhythm of fantasy delight you? Does it
Stand firm in the eyes of the judicious appraiser?

5. Or do you expect me to praise you, taking my share?
For love of you, he who serves good is served.

6. So I'll praise this group among you for holding fast
When disasters struck but it did not waver.

7. And I thank you—through your unity you have planted
Hope, which grows and becomes great.

8. And I pray you will exemplify a model
To resurrect our faded glory.

9. Yet I hope you'll forgive my frankness
If I opt for the truth, which is known.

10. For apart from what has gladdened us in your affairs
Are events that fill the East with tears and pain.

11. By God, from my place among you, I see
The East turn a deaf ear, struck mute.

12. I see the East bleed, looking for relief,
Comfort, and proffered advice.

13. I see in it plagues—from their sins
Comes a share. If we recognize it, that is wisest.

14. May guidance flow from you, blanketing your lands,
For it's time the delinquents took responsibility

15. And my intent not be impeded by feebleness.
The voice of prohibition is honored wherever it comes from.

16. Children of the East! Let us understand our condition,
That we may be saved, or else the ordained be fulfilled.

17. Ignorance rides roughshod over us, with no defense
Against its army camped in every quarter.

18. In all we seek, sincerity eludes us,
As does the strong, upright company.

19. We take comfort in less than honesty, though honesty wearies,
And lean toward fiction about what we don't believe.

20. Daily we make resolutions that dissolve
Without a trace in those who cannot keep resolve.

21. Lofty aspirations the universe can scarcely contain
And forlorn laments that saturate the atmosphere—

22. Beneath them only delusions born of their emptiness
Raved and wished for relief from their feeble unreality.

23. Is this what we think will rouse us from slumber
To the reform we hope for, or do we dream?

24. Shall our souls seethe and roil over news
That our safety has slipped, and so we cower?

25. Do you reckon that ruin will be driven out
By racket and clamor while injustice remains intact?

26. Is the price of ideals that we speak fondly
While greed is unchecked and coins are withheld?

27. How long in woe and inertia will we
Defer to the world, recoiling from duty?

28. How long in scarcity and cowardice,
Fragmented unity, as enemies seize control?

29. How long, while events are intimidating,
Will we live as fanciful delusions dictate?

30. Death's cold makes us shiver—if we warm ourselves,
It's by the embers. Our winding sheets will soon descend.

31. The pillars of our power are near to collapse—
Can they be excused if the heights are exclusive?

32. Pageantry without meaning, reckless absurdity,
And between them our cities lie ravaged.

33. We fight the West in thought and intention,
Yet it laughs while clubs of draconian rule smash down.

34. From the West we're clothed, to cover our nakedness,
And food and drink we choose and savor.

35. From it, the tools of power by which
We defend against it when roused to resist.

36. Each day it reveals a wonder of knowledge,
And every day, an art made complete.

37. When its aircraft come, oppression retreats—
Otherwise we grope in darkness and despair.

38. Be it that we triumph or fail, we will pay the price
While the West profits and enjoys the gains.

39. Opposing some of it, the rest collect funds from us,
Living in prosperity and delight.

40. Except for our desires, clutched tight, we own nothing—
We will not relinquish them or let go.

41. We've settled alongside their trading posts, and the people
Track each profit for the extortionists.

42. I won't enumerate its inconsistencies—
But I have named what is most inconsistent.

43. If it continues, it is lingering backwardness.
If you shake it off, that is progress.

44. My excuse is my heart and its torrent—
Yet it inclines where it should not wander or hide.

45. O company made great by your unified will,
Who have shown kindness, most perfected!

46. I have told you some of our faults while close—
So one far off who cannot see may understand.

47. Uphold this brotherhood and teach its virtues
In the East to those who would learn.

48. Dearest to nations are your most minimal exertions
Than verses and wonders that embellish and ornament.