For word meanings and explanatory discussion in English click on the tabs marked “Roman” or “Notes”.
Stanza by stanza posting of Grey, ameer chand bahaar and ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai.
gor-e GharibaaN-bahaar
Elegy-Thomas Grey
گورِ غریباں ۔ امیر چند بہارؔ
۱۱
بنائیں لاکھ تصویریں کسی اِنساں کی تربت پر
جب اُڑ جاتا ہے پنچھی سانس کا، پھر آ نہیں سکتا
خوشامد ایک مُردے کو تسلّی دے نہیں سکتی
ہمارا پھول برسانا اُسے بہلا نہیں سکتا
۱۲
بہت مُمکن ہے اِن قبروں میں کچھ ایسے بھی اِنساں ہوں
کہ جن کے دل میں ہوگا رقص فرما نورِ یزدانی
چھپا ہوگا کئی لوگوں میں جوہر حکمرانی کا
کئی اِن میں سے ہوں گے فنِّ موسیقی میں لاثانی
۱۳
مقدّر نے مگر فرصت نہ دی اِن تیرہ بختوں کو
کہ اپنے بے بہا جوہر زمانے کو دکھا سکتے
فلاکت نے ملایا خاک میں اُونچے اِرادوں کو
نہ تھا یہ اُن کی قسمت میں کہ وہ تعلیم پا سکتے
۱۴
ہزاروں گوہرِ تاباں ہیں پنہاں قعرِ دریا میں
نِہاں ہے اہلِ دنیا سے مگر اِن کی درخشانی
کئی ایسے بھی دلکش پھول صحراؤں میں کھلتے ہیں
شمیمِ جانفزا ہوتی ہے جن کی نذرِ ویرانی
۱۵
کئی ہوں گے یہاں مردِ مجاہد ہیمپڈن جیسے
زبانِ خلق پر ضرب المثل ہو جن کی بے باکی
کئی گُمنام ملٹن اِس جگہ سوئے ہوئے ہوں گے
کئی تھے کریمول، اُتنی نہ تھی گو اُن میں سفّاکی
۱۶
زمانے نے اِنھیں فرصت نہ دی جوہر دکھانے کی
وگرنہ اپنا سِکّہ ساری دُنیا پر بِٹھا دیتے
زباں کے زور سے مسحُور کرتے سُننے والوں کو
ستم رانوں کے چھکّے زورِ بازو سے چھڑا دیتے
۱۷
چلو اچھا ہوا شاید اِسی میں مصلحت ہو گی
بڑے بن کر وہ شاید دہر میں فتنے اُٹھا دیتے
جہاں گیری کے لالچ میں بہاتے خون کے دریا
جہاں سے نام تک مہر و محبّت کا مِٹا دیتے
۱۸
بڑے بن کر کسے معلوم وہ کیا کیا ستم ڈھاتے
صداقت کو دبا دیتے، مُروّت کو بھلا دیتے
رئیسوں کی خوشامد میں قصیدہ خوانیاں کرتے
یہ ممکن تھا کہ بٹّہ عظمتِ فن پر لگا دیتے
۱۹
خُدا کا شُکر ہے ایسا کبھی ہونے نہیں پایا
رہے بیگانہ شہروں کی سفیہانہ کشاکش سے
بڑے آرام سے عمریں بسر کیں گاؤں میں رہ کر
نہ اُن کا کوئی دُشمن تھا نہ وہ دُشمن کسی کے تھے
۲۰
جئے اور مر گئے ہی لوگ گم نامی کے عالم میں
مگر اِن بے نواؤں کی بھی کچھ توقیر لازم تھی
شکستہ لوح تربت پر لکھی جو چند سطریں ہیں
اُنھیں پڑھتے ہی ٹھنڈی سانس بھرتے ہیں کئی راہی
۲۱
یہی سطریں تو اُن کے مرثیے کا کام دیتی ہیں
پتہ دیتی ہیں اُن کے نام کا، جائے ولادت کا
نظر کے سامنے لاتی ہیں یہ انجام ہستی کو
سبق آموزیوں میں ایک دفتر ہیں نصیحت کا
गोर-ए गरीबां – अमीर चंद बहार
११
बनाएं लाख तस्वीरें किसी इंसां की तुर्बत पर
जब उढ जाता है पंछी सांस का फिर आ नहीं सकता
ख़ुशामद एक मुर्दे को तसल्ली दे नहीं सकती
हमारा फूल बरसाना उसे बहला नहीं सकता
१२
बहुत मुम्किन है इन क़ब्रौं में कुछ ऐसे भी इन्सां हों
के जिन के दिल में होगा रक़्स फ़र्मा नूर-ए यज़्दानी
छुपा होगा कई लोगौं में जौहर हुक्मरानी का
कई इन में से होंगे फ़न्न-ए मौसीक़ी में ला-सानी
१३
मुक़द्दर ने मगर फ़ुर्सत न दी इन तीरा-बख़्तौं को
के अपने बे-बहा जौहर ज़माने को दिखा सकते
फ़लाकत ने मिलाया ख़ाक में ऊंचे इरादौं को
न था ये उन की क़िस्मत में के वो ता’लिम पा सकते
१४
हज़ारौं गौहर-ए ताबां हैं पिन्हां क़ा’र-ए दर्या में
नेहां है अलह-ए दुनिया से मगर इन की दरख़्शानी
कई ऐसे भी दिल्कश फूल सहराऔं में खिलते हैं
शमीम-ए जांफ़ज़ा होती है जिन की नज़्र-ए वीरानी
१५
कई होंगे यहां मर्द-ए मुजाहद हैम्प्डन जैसे
ज़बान-ए ख़ल्क़ पर ज़र्ब-उल-मिस्ल हो जिन की बेबाकी
कई गुमनाम मिल्टन इस जगह सोए हुए होंगे
कई थे क्रैम्वल, उतनी न थी गो उन में सफ़्फ़ाकी
१६
ज़माने ने इन्हें फ़ुर्सत न दी जौहर दिखाने की
वगरना अपना सिक्का सारी दुनिया पर बिठा देते
ज़बां के ज़ोर से मस्हूर करते सुन्ने वालौं को
सितम-रानौं के छक्के ज़ोर-ए बाज़ू से छुढा देते
१७
चलो अच्छा हुआ शाएद इसी में मस्लहत होगी
बढे बन कर वो शाएद दहर में फ़ित्ने उठा देते
जहां-गीरी के लालच में बहाते ख़ून के दर्या
जहां से नाम तक महर ओ मोहब्बत का मिटा देते
१८
बढे बन कर किसे मा’लूम वो क्या क्या सितम ड़ाते
सदाक़त को दबा देते, मुरव्वत को भुलो देते
रईसौं की ख़ुशामद में क़सीदा-ख़्वानियां करते
ये मुम्किन है के बट्टा अज़्मत-ए फ़न पर लगा देते
१९
ख़ुदा का शुक्र है ऐसा कभी होने नहीं पाया
रहे बेगाना शहरौं की सफ़ीहाना कशाकश से
बढे आराम से उम्रें बसर की गाऊं में रह कर
न उन का कोई दुश्मन था न वो दुश्मन किसी के थे
२०
जिये और मर गये ये लोग गुमनामी के आलम में
मगर इन बे-नवाऔं की भी कुछ तौक़ीर लाज़िम थी
शिकस्ता लौह-ए तुर्बत पर लिखी जो चंद सत्रें हैं
उन्हें पढ़ते ही ठंडी सांस भरते हैं कई राही
२१
यही सत्रें तो उन के मर्सिये का काम देती हैं
पता देती हैं उन के नाम का जा-ए विलादत का
नज़र के सामने लाती है ये अंजाम-ए हस्ती को
सबक़-आमोज़ियौं में एक दफ़्तर हैं नसीहत का
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. ameer chand bahaar (1925-xxxx). In spite of his eight collections, it was very difficult to assemble any facts about his life. He appears to have taught, first at government college, ludhiana and later at rohtak, probably English. He did also compose Ghazal but his specialty seems to be the rubaaii. He translated/transcomposed 26 English poems into urdu nazm format and published them as a collection called ‘naseem-e maGhrib’.
11
banaayeN laakh tasveereN kisi insaaN ki turbat1 par
jab uR jaata hai panchhi saaNs ka phir aa nahiN sakta
Khushaamad2 ek murde3 to tasalli4 de nahiN sakti
hamaara phool barsaana use bahla5 nahiN sakta 1.grave, tomb 2.flattery 3.corpse 4.console 5.sooth
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath
Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust
Or Flattery sooth the dull cold ear of death
12
bahut mumkin1 hai in qabroN2 meN kuchh aise bhi insaaN hoN
keh jin ke dil meN hoga raqs-farma3 noor4-e yazdaani5
chhupa hoga kaii logoN meN jauhar6 hukmraani7 ka
kaii in meN se hoNge funn8-e mausiiqi9 meN la-saani10 1.possible 2.graves 3.dancing 4.light 5.divine 6.expertise, skill 7.command 8.talent 9.musical 10.unequalled, without exampled
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed
Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre
13
muqaddar1 ne magar2 fursat3 na dii in tiira-baKhtoN4 ko
keh apne be-bahaa5 jauhar6 zamaane7 ko dikha sakte
falaakat8 ne milaaya Khaak9 meN ooNche iraadoN10 ko
na tha ye un ki qismat meN keh vo taa’liim11 paa sakte 1.fate 2.but 3.chance, leisure 4.ill-fated 5.of high value 6.skill 7.world 8.penury 9.dust 10.plans, intentions 11.education, learning
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with spoils of time did never unroll
Chill Penury repressed their noble rage
And froze the genial current of the soul
14
hazaaroN gauhar1-e taabaaN2 haiN pinhaaN3 q’aar4-e darya5 meN
nehaaN6 hai ahl-e-duniya7 se magar in ki daraKhsaani8
kaii aise bhi dilkash9 phool sahraaoN10 meN khilte11 haiN
shamiim12-e jaaN-faza13 hoti hai jin ki nazr14-e viiraani15 1.pearls 2.shining 3.hidden 4.depths 5.sea 6.hidden 7.people of the world 8.brilliance 9.heart pleasing, beautiful 10.desert 11.bloom 12.fragrance 13.life giving 14.devotional ritual offering 15.desolate wilderness
Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air
15
kaii hoNge yahaaN mard-e-mujaahid1 hampden2 jaise
zabaan-e-Khalq3 par zarb-ul-misl4 ho jin ki bebaaki5
kaii gumnaam6 milton7 is jagah soye hue hoNge
kaii the kramwell8, utni na thi go un me saffaaki9 1.brave fighters 2.John Hampden who led a protest against Charles I 3.daily language 4.example, saying 5.courage, valour 6.unknown 7.John Milton, poet 8.Oliver Cramwell who led a rebellion against Charles I 9.cruelty, shedding blood
Some village Hampden that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood
16
zamaane1 ne inheN fursat2 na dii jauhar3 dikhaane ki
vagarna4 apna sikka saari duniya par biTha dete
zabaaN ke zor se mas’huur5 karte sun’ne vaaloN ko
sitam-raanoN6 ke chhakke7 zor-e-bazuu8 se chhuRa dete 1.times, world 2.time, occasion, chance 3.qualities, capabilites 4.otherwise 5.enchant 6.tyrants 7.senses, ‘chhakke chuRaana’ is used to mean render senseless, stunned 8.strength/power of the arms
The applause of listening senates to command
The threats of pain and ruin to despise
To scatter plenty over a smiling land
And read their history in a nation’s eyes
17
chalo achchha hua shaa’ed1 isi meN maslehat2 hogi
baRe ban kar vo shaa’ed1 dahr3 meN fitne4 uTha dete
jahaaN-giiri5 ke laalach meN bahaate Khoon ke darya
jahaaN se naam tak mahr6 o mohabbat ka miTa dete 1.perhaps 2.better, appropriate 3.world 4.mischief, tumult 5.world-conquering 6.kindness, mercy
Their lot forbad; nor circumscribed alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined
Forbad to wade through slaughter to a throne
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind
18
baRe ban kar kise maa’loom vo kya kya sitam1 Dhaate
sadaaqat2 ko daba dete, muravvat3 ko bhula dete
ra’iisoN4 ki Khushaamad5 meN qaseeda-KhwaaniyaaN6 karte
ye mumkin hai keh baTTa7 azmat8-e fun9 par laga dete 1.cruelty 2.truth, veracity 3.kindness, politeness 4.wealthy 5.flattery 6.singing odes, praising 7.stain 8.greatness, reputation 9.talent (of versification)
The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide
To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled at the Muse’s flame
19
Khuda ka shukr1 hai aisa kabhi hone nahiN paaya
rahe begaana2 shahroN ki safiihaana3 kashaakash4 se
baRe aaraam se umreN basar5 kiiN gaauN meN rah kar
na un ka koii dushman tha na vo dushman kisi ke the 1.thanks 2.unfamiliar with 3.foolish, meaningless 4.struggle, competition 5.spent
Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife
Their sober wishes never learned to stray
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way
20
jiye aur mar gaye ye log gumnaami1 ke aalam2 meN
magar in be-navaaoN3 ki bhi kuchh tauqiir4 laazim5 hai
shikasta6 lauh7-e turbat8 par likhi jo chand9 satreN10 haiN
unheN paRhte hi ThanDi saaNs bharte haiN kaii raahi 1.unknown 2.condition 3.voiceless 4.respect, honour 5.necessary, required 6.broken 7.tablet, gravestone 8.grave 9.a few 10.lines
Yet even those bones from insult to protect
Some frail memorial still erected nigh
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh
21
yahi satreN1 to un ke marsiye2 ka kaam deti haiN
pata3 deti haiN un ke naam ka jaa4-e vilaadat5 ka
nazar6 ke saamne laati hai ye anjaam7-e hasti8 ko
sabaq9-aamoziyoN10 meN ek daftar11 hai nasiihat12 ka 1.lines 2.elegy 3.pointer, indication 4.place of 5.birth 6.eyes 7.result, end 8.life 9.lesson 10.teaching, learning 11.register, account, book 12.advice, counsel
Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered Muse
The place of fame and elegy supply
And many a holy text around she strews
That teach the rustic moralist to die
ameer chand bahaar (1925-xxxx). In spite of his eight collections, it was very difficult to assemble any facts about his life. He appears to have taught, first at government college, ludhiana and later at rohtak, probably English. He did also compose Ghazal but his specialty seems to be the rubaaii. He translated/transcomposed 26 English poems into urdu nazm format and published them as a collection called ‘naseem-e maGhrib’.
11
banaayeN laakh tasveereN kisi insaaN ki turbat1 par
jab uR jaata hai panchhi saaNs ka phir aa nahiN sakta
Khushaamad2 ek murde3 to tasalli4 de nahiN sakti
hamaara phool barsaana use bahla5 nahiN sakta
1.grave, tomb 2.flattery 3.corpse 4.console 5.sooth
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath
Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust
Or Flattery sooth the dull cold ear of death
12
bahut mumkin1 hai in qabroN2 meN kuchh aise bhi insaaN hoN
keh jin ke dil meN hoga raqs-farma3 noor4-e yazdaani5
chhupa hoga kaii logoN meN jauhar6 hukmraani7 ka
kaii in meN se hoNge funn8-e mausiiqi9 meN la-saani10
1.possible 2.graves 3.dancing 4.light 5.divine 6.expertise, skill 7.command 8.talent 9.musical 10.unequalled, without exampled
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed
Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre
13
muqaddar1 ne magar2 fursat3 na dii in tiira-baKhtoN4 ko
keh apne be-bahaa5 jauhar6 zamaane7 ko dikha sakte
falaakat8 ne milaaya Khaak9 meN ooNche iraadoN10 ko
na tha ye un ki qismat meN keh vo taa’liim11 paa sakte
1.fate 2.but 3.chance, leisure 4.ill-fated 5.of high value 6.skill 7.world 8.penury 9.dust 10.plans, intentions 11.education, learning
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with spoils of time did never unroll
Chill Penury repressed their noble rage
And froze the genial current of the soul
14
hazaaroN gauhar1-e taabaaN2 haiN pinhaaN3 q’aar4-e darya5 meN
nehaaN6 hai ahl-e-duniya7 se magar in ki daraKhsaani8
kaii aise bhi dilkash9 phool sahraaoN10 meN khilte11 haiN
shamiim12-e jaaN-faza13 hoti hai jin ki nazr14-e viiraani15
1.pearls 2.shining 3.hidden 4.depths 5.sea 6.hidden 7.people of the world 8.brilliance 9.heart pleasing, beautiful 10.desert 11.bloom 12.fragrance 13.life giving 14.devotional ritual offering 15.desolate wilderness
Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air
15
kaii hoNge yahaaN mard-e-mujaahid1 hampden2 jaise
zabaan-e-Khalq3 par zarb-ul-misl4 ho jin ki bebaaki5
kaii gumnaam6 milton7 is jagah soye hue hoNge
kaii the kramwell8, utni na thi go un me saffaaki9
1.brave fighters 2.John Hampden who led a protest against Charles I 3.daily language 4.example, saying 5.courage, valour 6.unknown 7.John Milton, poet 8.Oliver Cramwell who led a rebellion against Charles I 9.cruelty, shedding blood
Some village Hampden that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood
16
zamaane1 ne inheN fursat2 na dii jauhar3 dikhaane ki
vagarna4 apna sikka saari duniya par biTha dete
zabaaN ke zor se mas’huur5 karte sun’ne vaaloN ko
sitam-raanoN6 ke chhakke7 zor-e-bazuu8 se chhuRa dete
1.times, world 2.time, occasion, chance 3.qualities, capabilites 4.otherwise 5.enchant 6.tyrants 7.senses, ‘chhakke chuRaana’ is used to mean render senseless, stunned 8.strength/power of the arms
The applause of listening senates to command
The threats of pain and ruin to despise
To scatter plenty over a smiling land
And read their history in a nation’s eyes
17
chalo achchha hua shaa’ed1 isi meN maslehat2 hogi
baRe ban kar vo shaa’ed1 dahr3 meN fitne4 uTha dete
jahaaN-giiri5 ke laalach meN bahaate Khoon ke darya
jahaaN se naam tak mahr6 o mohabbat ka miTa dete
1.perhaps 2.better, appropriate 3.world 4.mischief, tumult 5.world-conquering 6.kindness, mercy
Their lot forbad; nor circumscribed alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined
Forbad to wade through slaughter to a throne
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind
18
baRe ban kar kise maa’loom vo kya kya sitam1 Dhaate
sadaaqat2 ko daba dete, muravvat3 ko bhula dete
ra’iisoN4 ki Khushaamad5 meN qaseeda-KhwaaniyaaN6 karte
ye mumkin hai keh baTTa7 azmat8-e fun9 par laga dete
1.cruelty 2.truth, veracity 3.kindness, politeness 4.wealthy 5.flattery 6.singing odes, praising 7.stain 8.greatness, reputation 9.talent (of versification)
The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide
To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled at the Muse’s flame
19
Khuda ka shukr1 hai aisa kabhi hone nahiN paaya
rahe begaana2 shahroN ki safiihaana3 kashaakash4 se
baRe aaraam se umreN basar5 kiiN gaauN meN rah kar
na un ka koii dushman tha na vo dushman kisi ke the
1.thanks 2.unfamiliar with 3.foolish, meaningless 4.struggle, competition 5.spent
Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife
Their sober wishes never learned to stray
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way
20
jiye aur mar gaye ye log gumnaami1 ke aalam2 meN
magar in be-navaaoN3 ki bhi kuchh tauqiir4 laazim5 hai
shikasta6 lauh7-e turbat8 par likhi jo chand9 satreN10 haiN
unheN paRhte hi ThanDi saaNs bharte haiN kaii raahi
1.unknown 2.condition 3.voiceless 4.respect, honour 5.necessary, required 6.broken 7.tablet, gravestone 8.grave 9.a few 10.lines
Yet even those bones from insult to protect
Some frail memorial still erected nigh
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh
21
yahi satreN1 to un ke marsiye2 ka kaam deti haiN
pata3 deti haiN un ke naam ka jaa4-e vilaadat5 ka
nazar6 ke saamne laati hai ye anjaam7-e hasti8 ko
sabaq9-aamoziyoN10 meN ek daftar11 hai nasiihat12 ka
1.lines 2.elegy 3.pointer, indication 4.place of 5.birth 6.eyes 7.result, end 8.life 9.lesson 10.teaching, learning 11.register, account, book 12.advice, counsel
Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered Muse
The place of fame and elegy supply
And many a holy text around she strews
That teach the rustic moralist to die
Elegy in a Country Churchyard – Thomas Grey
11
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath
Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust
Or Flattery sooth the dull cold ear of death
12
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed
Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre
13
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with spoils of time did never unroll
Chill Penury repressed their noble rage
And froze the genial current of the soul
14
Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air
15
Some village Hampden that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood
16
The applause of listening senates to command
The threats of pain and ruin to despise
To scatter plenty over a smiling land
And read their history in a nation’s eyes
17
Their lot forbad; nor circumscribed alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined
Forbad to wade through slaughter to a throne
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind
18
The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide
To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled at the Muse’s flame
19
Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife
Their sober wishes never learned to stray
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way
20
Yet even those bones from insult to protect
Some frail memorial still erected nigh
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh
21
Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered Muse
The place of fame and elegy supply
And many a holy text around she strews
That teach the rustic moralist to die
11
ameer chand bahaar
banaayeN laakh tasveereN kisi insaaN ki turbat1 par
jab uR jaata hai panchhi saaNs ka phir aa nahiN sakta
Khushaamad2 ek murde3 to tasalli4 de nahiN sakti
hamaara phool barsaana use bahla5 nahiN sakta
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
banaate ho bahu-tasviir1 agar madfan2 pe rakhne ko
palaT kar is se kuchh nikli hui saaNs aa nahiN sakti
dua ho, faateha3 ho, marsia4 ho aah-o-zaari5 ho
koi avaaz unke kaan hi tak ja nahiN sakti
Thomas Grey
Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the fleeting breath
Can Honour’s voice provoke the silent dust
Or Flattery sooth the dull cold ear of death
12
bahut mumkin1 hai in qabroN2 meN kuchh aise bhi insaaN hoN
keh jin ke dil meN hoga raqs-farma3 noor4-e yazdaani5
chhupa hoga kaii logoN meN jauhar6 hukmraani7 ka
kaii in meN se hoNge funn8-e mausiiqi9 meN la-saani10
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
Khuda jaane thhe` in logoN meN kya kya jauhar-e-qaabil1
Khuda maaloom rakhte hoNge ye zahn-e-rasa2 kaise
Khuda hi ko Khabar3 hai kaise kaise hoNge sahib-hal4
Khuda maaloom hoNge baazu5-e zor-aazma6 kaise
Thomas Grey
Perhaps in this neglected spot is laid
Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire
Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed
Or waked to ecstacy the living lyre
13
muqaddar1 ne magar2 fursat3 na dii in tiira-baKhtoN4 ko
keh apne be-bahaa5 jauhar6 zamaane7 ko dikha sakte
falaakat8 ne milaaya Khaak9 meN ooNche iraadoN10 ko
na tha ye un ki qismat meN keh vo taa’liim11 paa sakte
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
zamaane1 ne magar koii varaq2 aisa nahiN ulTa3
ke baar-e-fikr4 se mohlat5 ye paate sar uThaane ki
museebat ne tabi’yat6 ki ravaani7 ko kiya paspaa8
ke baar9 aane na paaii jauhar-e-zaati10 dikhaane ki
Thomas Grey
But Knowledge to their eyes her ample page
Rich with spoils of time did never unroll
Chill Penury repressed their noble rage
And froze the genial current of the soul
14
ameer chand bahaar
hazaaroN gauhar1-e taabaaN2 haiN pinhaaN3 q’aar4-e darya5 meN
nehaaN6 ahl-e-duniya7 se magar in ki daraKhsaani8
kaii aise bhi dilkash9 phool sahraaoN10 meN khilte11 haiN
shamiim12-e jaaN-faza13 hoti hai jin ki nazr14-e viiraani15
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
bahut se gauhar-e-shahvaar1 baaqi2 rah gaye hoNge
ke jinki KhoobiyaaN3 sub bah gayiiN tah4 meN samandar ki
hazaaroN phool dasht-o-dahr5 meN aise bhi khile hoNge
ke jinke muskuraane meN thi Khushbu mushk6-e azfar7 ki
Thomas Grey
Full many a gem of purest ray serene
The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its sweetness on the desert air
15
ameer chand bahaar
kaii hoNge yahaaN mard-e-mujaahid1 hampden2 jaise
zabaan-e-Khalq3 par zarb-ul-misl4 ho jin ki bebaaki5
kaii gumnaam6 milton7 is jagah soye hue hoNge
kaii the kramwell8, utni na thi go un me saffaaki9
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
ye sahib-azm1 haiN go razm2 ki naubat3 nahiN aaii
hukoomat apne qariye4 meN ki, laikin dost dushman par
vo firdausi5 haiN ye jinki zabaN khulne nahiN paaii
vo rustum6 haiN nahiN sohraab7 ka KhuN jinki gardan-par8
Thomas Grey
Some village Hampden that with dauntless breast
The little tyrant of his fields withstood
Some mute inglorious Milton here may rest
Some Cromwell guiltless of his country’s blood
16
ameer chand bahaar
zamaane1 ne inheN fursat2 na dii jauhar3 dikhaane ki
vagarna4 apna sikka saari duniya par biTha dete
zabaaN ke zor se mas’huur5 karte sun’ne vaaloN ko
sitam-raanoN6 ke chhakke7 zor-e-bazuu8 se chhuRa dete
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
muqaddar1 ne inheN masroof2 rakkha qibla-raani3 meN
vagarna4 hukmraani5 ka bhi jalwa6 yeh dikha dete
ajab7 kya shohra-e-aafaq8 hote Khush-bayaani9 meN
aur apne kaarnaame10 ahl-e-aalam11 ko suna dete
Thomas Grey
The applause of listening senates to command
The threats of pain and ruin to despise
To scatter plenty over a smiling land
And read their history in a nation’s eyes
17
ameer chand bahaar
chalo achchha hua shaa’ed1 isi meN maslehat2 hogi
baRe ban kar vo shaa’ed1 dahr3 meN fitne4 uTha dete
jahaaN-giiri5 ke laalach meN bahaate Khoon ke darya
jahaaN se naam tak mahr6 o mohabbat ka miTa dete
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai
rahe mahroom1 neki se, bache har ek buraaii se
na zor-e mardum-aazari2 na shor-e fitna-aNgezi3
na daulat ki tamma’4 meN begunaahoN ke gale kaaTe
na kii Khalq-e-Khuda5 ke saath be-rahmi6 o KhuNrezi7
Thomas Grey
Their lot forbad; nor circumscribed alone
Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined
Forbad to wade through slaughter to a throne
And shut the gates of mercy on mankind
18
ameer chand bahaar
baRe ban kar kise maa’loom vo kya kya sitam1 Dhaate
sadaaqat2 ko daba dete, muravvat3 ko bhula dete
ra’iisoN4 ki Khushaamad5 meN qaseeda-KhwaaniyaaN6 karte
ye mumkin hai keh baTTa7 azmat8-e fun9 par laga dete
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
na sohbat1 meN amiiroN ki kabhi Khun-e-jigar khaaya2
na auNThaaya3 lahu4 apna kabhi jhooTi Khushaamad5 se
na mal ke rauGhan-e-qaaz6 aatish-e-naKhvat7 ko bhaRkaaya8
keh is se KhudpasandoN9 ka tahayyur10 baRh chale had11 se
Thomas Grey
The struggling pangs of conscious truth to hide
To quench the blushes of ingenuous shame
Or heap the shrine of Luxury and Pride
With incense kindled at the Muse’s flame
19
ameer chand bahaar
Khuda ka shukr1 hai aisa kabhi hone nahiN paaya
rahe begaana2 shahroN ki safiihaana3 kashaakash4 se
baRe aaraam se umreN basar5 kiiN gaauN meN rah kar
na un ka koii dushman tha na vo dushman kisi ke the
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
alag1 har nek-o-bad2 se, duur duniya ke makaaed3 se
gaye begaana-vaar4 aur Khalq5 meN begaana-vaar4 aaye
rahe mahfooz6 ibna-e-zamana7 ke mafaasid8 se
qadam9 raah-e-tavakkul10 se kabhi Dagne11 nahiN paaye
Thomas Grey
Far from the madding crowd’s ignoble strife
Their sober wishes never learned to stray
Along the cool sequestered vale of life
They kept the noiseless tenor of their way
20
ameer chand bahaar
jiye aur mar gaye ye log gumnaami1 ke aalam2 meN
magar in be-navaaoN3 ki bhi kuchh tauqiir4 laazim5 hai
shikasta6 lauh7-e turbat8 par likhi jo chand9 satreN10 haiN
unheN paRhte hi ThanDi saaNs bharte haiN kaii raahi
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
na dekh in ustaKhwaaN1 paaye-shikasta2 ko hiqaarat3 se
ye hai gor-e-GharibaaN4 ek nazar hasrat5 se karta ja
nikalta hai ye matlab lauh-e-turbat6 ki ibaadat7 se
jo is raste guzarta hai to ThanDi-saaNs8 bharta ja
Thomas Grey
Yet even those bones from insult to protect
Some frail memorial still erected nigh
With uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked
Implores the passing tribute of a sigh
21
ameer chand bahaar
yahi satreN1 to un ke marsiye2 ka kaam deti haiN
pata3 deti haiN un ke naam ka jaa4-e vilaadat5 ka
nazar6 ke saamne laati hai ye anjaam7-e hasti8 ko
sabaq9-aamoziyoN10 meN ek daftar11 hai nasiihat12 ka
ali haidar nazm tabaatabaaii
likhe haiN naam in qabroN pe go1 kaavaak2 harfoN3 meN
magar bhoole-hue4 ko Theek ye rasta bataate haiN
ifaada5 is se baRh kar aur kya hoga agar socheN
ke jo marne se navaaqif6 haiN rasta seekh jaate haiN
Thomas Grey
Their name, their years, spelt by the unlettered Muse
The place of fame and elegy supply
And many a holy text around she strews
That teach the rustic moralist to die
