I see the world falling, I see it beguiled,
I see virtue abandoned,
And the Muses contemptuously held,
So much that nearly is my heart entombed.

I see hate and envy all twisted
about thought of friends, and with false song;
I see the worthy betrayed by the vile,
And all to our loss, the heavens rebel.

None the standard of the common good hold firm,
Instead for private gain all declaim,
While heavy are their hearts with motives dark.

I see and in seeing hold even self hateful,
So that for loathing I would,
See myself sightless or the world entire, blind.

Translation by Michael Curtotti