दीनबन्धु दूसरो कहँ पावौं? को तुम बिनु पर-पीर पाइ है? केहि दीनता सुनावौं॥ १॥ प्रभु अकृपालु, कृपालु अलायक, जहँ-जहँ चितहिं डोलावौं। इहै समुझि सुनि रहौं मौन ही, कहि भ्रम कहा गवावौं॥ २॥ गोपद बुडिबे जोग करम करौं, बातनि जलधि थहावौं। अति लालची, काम-किंकर मन, मुख रावरो कहावौं॥ ३॥ तुलसी प्रभु जियकी जानत सब, अपनी कछुक जनावौं। सो कीजै, जेहि भाँति छाँड़ि छल द्वार परो गुन गावौं॥ ४॥
Where shall I find another friend of the poor? Who besides you feels another’s pain? To whom shall I tell my wretchedness? (1) Wherever I turn my mind, the masters are without compassion, or compassionate but incapable. Understanding and hearing this, I remain silent; why lose my good name by speaking? (2) I perform deeds worthy of drowning in a cow’s hoofprint, yet with words I plumb the ocean. My mind is exceedingly greedy and a servant of lust, while with my mouth I call myself yours. (3) Lord, you know everything in Tulsi’s heart, yet I disclose a little of my own. Do what will make me abandon deceit, lie at your door, and sing your virtues. (4)