1. O king whose virtues
Surpass what we praise and eulogize,

2. How many amazing conquests against your foes!
Nothing but your spear more wondrous.

3. How many necks you bestowed mercy,
When the sword was about to despoil them.

4. How much kindness you have for your subjects,
Like the sun nurturing a garden and removing decay.

5. These are caravans of the beauty of your reputation in the land,
And the most pious of deeds is the good that remains.

6. It is pride enough that the greatest nation
Is ascribed to your kingdom and your name.

7. Why then would you erase the memory of their kings?
Those great ones, though dead, are not forgotten.

8. If you erase their chronicles from books,
The stone would be carved and the parchments written.

9. People will know their affairs after you,
So you'd be blamed however long the term and chided.

10. The deceitful hopes of fate tricked you
Even the free are fooled, and wishes tell lies.

11. And when you look to the truth sincerely,
Remembrance cannot restore a life now gone.

12. As for the wall, if you built up its edifice,
Until stars dwelled upon its heights,

13. And if mountains were made of some of its stones,
Cemented till no water seeps through,

14. People will still make what’s beyond it
In grandeur, perfection, and greater wonder.

15. And ships of war will be built to eclipse the horizons
With their smoke dispersed as fire that burns,

16. And creatures white as doves will penetrate to Beijing,
Plundering whatever they wish and pillaging.

17. With what will walls around their cities help them
When in them are faint hearts that flee?

18. Better than narrowing their world around them
Is to open the world to them however wide.

19. For security kills courage within them
And life with fear is anxiety expected.

20. Weak nations are protected only
By virtues gained through trials.

21. These become their sturdy shields against harm
And their power that will not be defeated.