In this world there is nothing in which to believe.
All things are distorted I clearly perceive,
And friends' declarations are meant to deceive.
Fulfilment of promises I can't perceive,
While for falseness in love my whole being must grieve.

A servant, a hermit and even the Khan
Submit to great torments to gain what they can
And chase after riches with grisly elan.
We've watched and we've listened to many a man,
But found only nets of deceit that men weave.

The world rings with voices that howl and incite.
Men outwit each other, they struggle and fight
For gold all around us—a miserable sight!
Subordinates should know their leaders are right,
But gold for subordinates leaders don't leave. . .

Mankind always follows a rule that seems mad—
Give help to a man when he's down, make him glad,
He'll do you bad turns till you're sorry and sad!
Whatever is good incites all that is bad.
Close friends become foes, they quarrel and leave.

No savant, no student, or fool can be free.
They are slaves of the Shah and the powers-that-be.
The truth is distorted—this great sin I see,
The sheiks, rogues and preachers oppress you and me,
They're not worth our prayers—to faith they don't cleave.

Each man has a passion for one thing alone—
Some pine for a woman, some lust for a throne,
While shahs dream of grasping the land others own.
Distraught with desire, they must languish and groan,
But peace in this world no one tries to achieve...

Translated by Tom Botting

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