1. Greed cast off its veil from the West,
So awake, O East, and beware of slumber!

2. And carry, O sun, to all who dwell in the East,
Greetings of peace.

3. And bear witness on the day we are called
That we died with honor in the cause of truth.

4. The earth was saturated with the blood of the slain,
Of the lawful and unlawful alike.

5. The Italians were helpless against our heroes,
So they whetted the swords of our children.

6. They shackled them, killed them, mutilated
The chaste, and wreaked havoc on the orphans.

7. They slaughtered the old and the infirm, and showed
No mercy to infants or youth.

8. They burned down homes and deemed lawful all
That God had forbidden them to violate.

9. The bishop blessed their deeds,
So they made him their prelate and sign.

10. Did their Bible command them
To spread peace upon the earth?

11. They revealed the West's intentions toward us,
And removed the darkness from the East's horizon.

12. So we read it in lines of blood
That swore to devour the East ravenously.

13. They unleashed the fleet in the sea
As a messenger looses his pigeons in the sky.

14. It sailed not far before it turned back,
Bearing tidings of woe and defeat.

15. We filled the land with their body parts;
Let them fill the world with empty words!

16. They declared war, and we resolved
To bring them perdition wherever they landed.

17. Tell Victor about us -
How he amazed the world with war and order.

18. How the world was stunned when they saw
His army outrun ostriches.

19. It would stop on land only long enough
To surrender souls or drop the reins.

20. O Hated of the Italians, you have obliged us
With a kindness we will recall for years to come.

21. You have given us equipment,
Clothing, drink, and food,

22. And weapons that in your hands
Had lost their edge but served us well,

23. Take your walks in our neighborhoods,
And thank God they have cured your illnesses.

24. And hold each year a feast
To nourish our orphans and widows.

25. I know not what nation you shepherd -
The Italian people or stray cattle.

26. Since when is victory among your customs?
You clung to the coast in fear and for protection.

27. You escaped the fire of Vesuvius
Only to enter the flames of a war less merciful.

28. Vesuvius was not so hellish
As the shells that spewed lethal poison.

29. O Vesuvius, stop protecting them,
For Africa has shaken off its slumber!

30. It is a volcano God has placed at their disposal
As a punishment and vengeance.

31. Had they known the East's hidden might,
They would have preferred Vesuvius as their abode.

32. Such is the recompense of a treacherous nation
That violates its pacts and covenants,

33. The recompense of every tyrant who oppresses,
Transcends bounds, or is heedless of truth.

34. Had Rome known what befell it
In Tripoli, it would have opted for division,

35. And every socialist among them
Would have refused to see a crown on a head.

36. They declared annexation of our ports
To Victor's kingdom, heedless of blame.

37. They declared annexation without first
Unlocking a single claw before or behind.

38. They were amazed that a seasoned conqueror
Would think a stroll by sea a collision,

39. And consider their empty annexation claim
Absurd, false, and warranting arbitration.

40. You who are lost at sea, approach
The Bosphorus' sanctuary if you are so inclined!

41. How often have we heard the lightning report
What alarmed the world when the navy stirred.

42. Two months have passed and it opened up nothing but
A gulf into which millions were made to plunge.

43. They buried their history in its depths
And cast their glory in after it, ungrown.

44. So be reassured, O nations of the East,
For effort arose today, so do not despair.

45. In our ribs are hearts
That love glory and refuse to be suppressed.