Number 14

Iraqi style
English

Number 14

They tell me: go and grapple with the enemy, if you have the nerve and manhood for it. Has anyone ever spilled his own blood for nothing? Would even a drunkard do something so insane? You can't bring yourself to lay a little gold on your palm; how then would a soldier place his head on his?
Explanation: The final couplet contrasts 'gold on the palm' (parting with money) and 'head on the palm' (risking one's life), a play mocking the one who won't spend yet expects others to sacrifice.

Original · Persian

شمارهٔ ۱۴

مرا گویند با دشمن برآویز گرت چالاکی و مردانگی هست
کسی بیهوده خون خویشتن ریخت؟ کند هرگز چنین دیوانگی مست؟
تو زر بر کف نمی‌یاری نهادن سپاهی چون نهد سر بر کف دست؟