Monday, August 30, 2010

Lion of Hijaz

To expectant ear declared the silence of Hijaz at last,
The pledge taken from desert dwellers comes into being again.
Which appeared from deserts and down Byzantine state did cast,
It is heard from angels ascends that leonine again.

(adapted from Sir Allama Iqbal as a single quatrain in english. )

Gualib

When naught wast there, the Lord hast been
Hath naught been there the Lord hath been.
Hast shattered me the matter of being,
Hath i been naught then what hast been.

Whenst so impervious to grief  hath i been
Then wherefore grieve in guillotined being
If not hath it beheaded been
Then plainly upon the breast hath been

And ages hence hath Gualib deceased
But it ever yearns to hearken
On aught his sceptic utterance:
"Hath it been thus then what hath been"

(adapted from Gualib himself, as an elegy in english)