Page:Swahili tales.djvu/479

Rh :I swear by the Gospel and the Psalms a firm oath,
 * I turn not my back if evil is before me,
 * And his heart faces it and seeks evil wherever it is.

He who strives for his rank, having rank, striving against wrong and wrong, till his soul meets its fate.


 * I make myself a slave to my equals to get honour.
 * Nor is there anything I do not obey them in,
 * But I refuse a vile person and an evil speaker.

I melt like wax when I am held, I melt exceedingly; I am bad like war when I hear evil speaking.


 * I go not into war if I have not something which makes me beat my breast,
 * But what is praised when it has evil praise,
 * I make great war to make it insignificant.

I am bold, and love the acceptance of death; for fear of disgrace and of the enemy's speaking of me.


 * If I see war, though I am sick, I find health,
 * I rejoice as a bridegroom when he goes to his bride,
 * I fix my heart before God without turning,

I am a young lion who loves the acceptance of death; for fear of disgrace and of the enemies seeing me backward.


 * Kwa ajili ya kusifiwa ambazo ni mbaya sifa
 * Hitegemea vita bora huvitenda khafifu.

Mimi ni mwana shujaa nipendaye mapenzi ya kufa, kwa kuogopa hizaya na adui wa kunisema.


 * Nikiona vita nikiugua naona afya,
 * Nikaona furaha kama harusi siku ya kutiwa nyumbani,
 * Huwelekeza moyo kwa Muungu jjasipo kinyuma.

Mimi ni mwana wa simba, apendaye mapenzi ya kufa, kwa kuogopa hezaya na adui kuniona nyuma ya watu.