Sándor Petőfi: “The Magyar Noble,” Original and Updated in Light of the NPI Suppression in Budapest

THE MAGYAR NOBLE.
A MAGYAR NEMES.

The sword which once my fathers bore,
Hangs on the wall and gleams no more,
Rust covers it instead of gore.
I am a Magyar noble.

I never work and never will,
The thought of labor makes me ill.
Peasant, ‘t is thou the earth must till.
I am a Magyar noble.

Peasant, make good the road, I say,
Thy horse doth draw the load that way,
But go afoot I never may.
I am a Magyar noble.

Wherefore should I for science care?
The sages always paupers were.
I never read or write, I swear!
I am a Magyar noble.

One talent I possess complete,
Herein with me none can compete:
I excellently drink and eat.
I am a Magyar noble.

I never pay my tax when due,
Wealth have I, but not much, ‘t is true.
How much owe I? Ask but the jew.
I am a Magyar noble.

The country’s cares are naught to me.
I heed not all its misery.
Soon they will pass by fate’s decree.
I am a Magyar noble.

My ancient rights and home decay,
And when I’ve smoked my life away,
Angels shall bear me up one day.
I am a Magyar noble.

THE MAGYAR NOBLE (Updated, with reference to Hungarian Communist leader Janos Kadar and present Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán.

A MAGYAR NEMES.

The sword which once my fathers bore,
Hangs on the wall and gleams no more,
Rust covers it instead of gore.
I am a Magyar politician.  I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

I never work and never will,
The thought of labor makes me ill.
Peasant, ‘t is thou the earth must till.
I am a Magyar political leader. I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

Peasant, make good the road, I say,
Thy horse doth draw the load that way,
But go afoot I never may.
I am a Magyar politician.  I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

Wherefore should I for science care?
The sages always paupers were.
I never read or write, I swear!
I am a Magyar truckler — I ban science don’t foster it.  I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

One talent I possess complete,
Herein with me none can compete:
I excellently drink and eat.
I am a Magyar politician…for sale for 30 pieces of silver.  I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

I never pay my tax when due,
Wealth have I, but not much, ‘t is true.
How much owe I? Ask but the jew.
I am a Magyar “leader” with my Israeli funded Swiss account. I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

The country’s cares are naught to me.
I heed not all its misery.
Soon they will pass by fate’s decree.
I am a Magyar “conservative” leader.  I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

My ancient rights and home decay,
And when I’ve smoked my life away,
Angels shall bear me up one day.
I am the political “elite” Magyar.  I am Viktor Kadar-Orbán.

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