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.
Siingii katika vita nisipokuwa na jambo kupiga kifua,
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.
