Classic Poem

(1)

While addled in our reverend master's pate,
And dust and rust our spirits obfuscate,
And drunk and dizzy's he who guides our fate,
And this old humbug still directs our gait
Needs must our caravan be lame and late!

(2)

Vainly our lives to hardship we expose
While in each heart the fire of hatred glows:
For while the Nation doth the Shah oppose,
And while the Shah supports the Nation's foes,
And while Reaction dominates the State
Needs must our caravan be lame and late!

(3)

We say that now at last the Press is free,
That Persia shall regain prosperity,
That firmly based is now our Liberty,
That colleges abound increasingly.
Bottle and stone best typify our state!
Needs must our caravan be lame and late!

*****


(5)

An ass becomes our arbiter supreme,
A dog controls each project and each scheme,
A fox the object of respect doth seem,
Shapshal a trusty treasurer we deem:
What piece can move to save the King from mate?
Needs must our caravan be lame and late!