Seas are covered1 mountains fallen,
Orphans shedding tears.
Lords who are the sons of whores
Spread their sins like pollen.

The call to prayer can scarcely stir a martyr.
The studies of the mullahs are in vain.
Now tea and 1_nas" are all the Kazis know.
Corruption shows, with all its foul stigmata.

Respect for answered prayers is in a poor way.
Those who would pass as Sufis scream and, more,
Claiming to be awlias, leap about
Ishans are to be found in every doorway.

Young girls parade in attitudes of boredom1
Their painted faces covered by black veils.
They now commence to decorate themselves
With coins they earn from evil acts of whoredom.

Riches are all that money-lenders savour.
The wealthy man of zekat takes no heed.
Repent! What evils have I seen, as friend
Is wounding friend and neighbour wounding neighbour!

O Makhtumkuli, mullahs without merit
Rush turbaned through the land like savage wolves.
Still ravening, they hunt our honour down,
Devouring everything we should inherit.