Money
The sultan who rules the world, The founder of the mint, The place where silver's coined, He knows what money's worth.
The vizier, who's his aide, Who acts as if he's just, He lets no gossip spread, He knows what money's worth.
Sheyhulislami issues fatwas, He knows what's canon law, Yet a bribe he'll not refuse, He knows what money's worth.
The mufti and the teacher, Both scholars and imams, Are in the devil's pact, They know what money's worth.
The judge, too, in his courtroom, Reclining on his rug, The dervish in his tekke, They know what money's worth.
The pashas and the beys And all the milling crowds For riches lose their heads, They know what money's worth.
Show money to a judge, He'll interpret laws anew, For a cent he'd sell his father, He knows what money's worth.
For money they'll get drunk And put the world to shame, E'en the farmer sowing beans, He knows what money's worth.
There is no creature living Exempt from this desire, All guildsmen and all merchants, They know what money's worth.
The infant in his cradle, His hand out, crying "gimme!" Will cram cash in his pocket, He knows what money's worth.
The jackdaw perched in silence, Throw a penny on the ground, 'twill seize it, take it nestward, It knows what money's worth.
Money in this world Will consume both young and old, In hellfire it will burn them, They know what money's worth...
[Excerpt from Paraja, late 18th century. Translated from the Albanian by Robert Elsie]
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