1. Oh, the wonder of people and their heedlessness,
And their long delusion and vain play!

2. They claim to hope in God - a hollow plea,
If they truly hoped, they would fear as they hope.

3. Men of age and dignity flock
To frivolity, heedless of what they came for.

4. So shameful that grey hair, when its owner
Frolics like a youth when passions stir him.

5. The sons of this world cling to it though
The days will wean them from it, if they but weaned.

6. Before us generations passed, epochs we count,
And soon we too shall pass as they have passed.

7. In God's cause, what remorse not to die
As those before died, whenever they withdrew!

8. Nor for the Resurrection have we provided,
As those who feared God and piety pursued.

9. Oh where, where are they - the hoarders for others?
Never did abundance make them overbear nor swell.

10. The high-climbers of this world, I observed,
Descend according to how high they climb.

11. All mortal humankind, though gone astray,
Are leveled in frailty, want and equality.

12. Naught like sincerity have I seen
To warm a stranger's heart, where the righteous bond.