XLVI: I become quite astonished with the people of…

I become quite astonished with the people of the world,
To see what these dogs do, for the sake of the flesh's lusts.

Such acts and proceedings are developed, and perpetrated by them,
As the Devil would never have thought of, and never have uttered.

The Kur'an they always place before them, and from it they read;
But none of their doings will be in conformity with the tenets thereof.

What road shall I follow in pursuit of them? where shall I seek?
For, like unto Alchemy itself, the wise have become scarce indeed.

Good men are like rubies and garnets--they can rarely be found;
But like unto any common stones, the worthless are not a few.

Do they belong to the afrit, the demon, or the goblin race?
For, among the lineage of Adam, the Afghans I cannot account.

Notwithstanding thou mayest give one the best of counsel and advice;
Still, even the counsel of his father is not acceptable to his heart.

The whole of the deeds of the Pattans are better than those of the Mughals;
But they have no unity amongst them, and a great pity it is.

The fame of Bahlol, and of Sher Shah too, resoundeth in my ears--
Afghan Emperors of India, who swayed its sceptre effectively and well.

For six or seven generations, did they govern so wisely,
That all their people were filled with admiration of them.

Either those Afghans were different, or these have greatly changed;
Or otherwise, at present, such is the Almighty's decree.

If the Afghans shall acquire the gift of concord and unity,
Old Khushhal shall, a second time, grow young therefrom.