Petőfi Sándor: Highly Esteemed Overlords (Dicsőséges nagyurak... Angol nyelven)

Highly esteemed overlords, well
How goes it?
Do your necks itch, tell the truth, a
Tiny bit?
Neckwear of the latest trend, to
Serve you right,
We’ve prepared … it’s nothing chic, but
Nice and tight.

Do you have a sense, how long we’ve
Begged of you,
Show that you regard us all as
Humans, too,
Accept us into your fellow
Brotherhood…
The poor folk implored you, but it
Did no good.

All along you treated them as
Savages;
Savagely, will they come for their
Damages?
Charge and overpower you like
Rabid beasts,
Sink their claws and fangs to paint their
Bloody feasts?

Come out of your huts and take those
Fields by storm!
Grab those pitchforks, sickles, spades and
Let it swarm!
Opportunity like this may
Come but once,
Hear, the hour of revenge is
Upon us!

For too long we fattened up these
Overlords,
Let the canines feed upon their
Larded bones!
String ‘em up, and dump them on the
Garbage heap,
Throw ‘em to the dogs, like so much
Luncheon meat!…

On second thought… my dear brothers,
Not so fast!
Let’s rise above, let’s be nobler
In contrast;
Holiest, beyond God, is the
People’s name:
Let’s be dignified and worthy
Of His fame.

Let us rise above the fray de-
Servingly,
Let God cast his gaze upon us
Glowingly,
With his two omnipotent hands
Let him place
Upon our heads heaven’s ever-
Lasting grace.

Our thousand-year grievances we’ll
Soon forget,
If the Lord will yield his regal
pride, and let
Us into his flesh and blood fra-
ternity,
Recognise our bona fide e-
quality.

Noble lords, if you insist, then
Come you may,
We extend our hands, in which your
Hands to lay.
Let us all be links that make the
Chain robust,
Stand in defense of our Homeland
As we must.

Come, hastily, we cannot af-
Ford to wait,
Time’s of essence, tomorrow may
Be too late.
If our masses you continue
To despise,
May the Almighty have mercy
On your hides!