(Apne Mashriqi Aur Maghribi Hareefon Se)
(To his rivals east and west)
Be-Mehal Bighra Hai Masooman-e-Yourap Ka Mazaj
What, are crimes like Mussolini’s so unheard of in this age?
Why should they put Europe’s goodies into such a silly rage?
Hain Sabhi Tehzeeb Ke Auzar ! Tu Chhalni, Main Chhaj
Need the pot feel so indigent when the kettle wears a blot?
We are Culture’s twin utensils—I the kettle, you the pot.
Tum Ne Kya Torhe Nahin Kamzor Qoumon Ke Zujaj?
You have watched my lust for conquest and dominion with a frown—
But have you not knocked the brittle walls of feeble countries down?
Rajdahani Hai, Magar Baqi Na Raja Hai Na Raaj
To whose empires is that clever piece of trickery so dear,
By which royal seats survive but kings and kingdoms disappear.
Aur Tum Dunya Ke Banjar Bhi Na Choro Be Kharaaj!
We, the children of the Caesars, strove to water heath and sand—
You could never bear to leave untaxed the earth’s most barren land!
Tum Ne Looti Kisht-e-Dehqan, Tum Ne Loote Takht-o-Taaj
You have plundered tents of nomads of the little wealth they own,
You have plundered peasants ploughlands, you have plundered crown and throne—
Kal Rawa Rakhi Thi Tum Ne, Main Rawa Rakhta Hun Aaj !
And that looting and that killing—in a civilized way—
Yesterday you, you defended! I defend it now to‐day.
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