XC: That one's blood should be upon one's own…

That one's blood should be upon one's own head, is, truly, some cause of concern;
Still, to think that I still live, whilst my friends are in the tomb, is irksome to me.

Since so many pleasant and familiar faces are buried beneath this earth,
When I shall join them in the grave, it will be a very paradise to me.

Is old age come upon me? am I imbecile grown? or is there aught else?
For that doth not succeed which I set about; and yet people and country are the same.

Tho' I speak unto folks ever so kindly, they take in bad part what I say unto them
'Tis either the good fortune of the Mughals, or my intellect hath deficient become.

No! 'tis not the good fortune of the Mughals, nor am I in intellect wanting
'Tis, entirely, through old age, that my affairs are all disordered and confused.

The Mughals whom I now set eyes upon, are not such as were wont to be:
The day of their swords is past and gone, and but the pen remaineth unto them.

They gain over the Afghans by gold; and by fraud and deception entangle them:
Upon me these things have no effect; for the favour of God is still upon me.

I am neither a fly nor a crow, that I should hover over rottenness and filth:
The hawk or the falcon am I, that must my heart, with my own quarry, delight.

Were there but others like unto me in this affair, I should rejoice indeed;
But since there are none like me, with distress and grief I am o'erwhelm'd.

Both Ae-mal Khan and Dar-ya Khan have passed away, in honour and in fame;
And, through bereavement from them, these my sighs, and this mourning proceed.