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 GhariibaaN
Elegy-Thomas Grey
گورِ غریباں – علی حیدر نظمؔ طباطبائی
۱۱
بناتے ہو بہو تصویر اگر مدفن پہ رکھنے کو
پلٹ کر اِس سے کچھ نکلی ہوئی سانس آ نہیں سکتی
دعا ہو، فاتحہ ہو، مرثیہ ہو، آہ و زاری ہو
کوئی آواز اِن کے کان ہی تک جا نہیں سکتی
۱۲
خدا جانے تھے اِن لوگوں میں کیا کیا جوہرِ قابل
خدا معلوم رکھتے ہوں گے یہ ذہنِ رسا کیسے
خدا ہی کو خبر ہے کیسے کیسے ہوں گے صاحب حل
خدا معلوم ہونگے بازوئے زور آزما کیسے
۱۳
زمانے نے مگر کوئی ورق ایسا نہیں اُلٹا
کہ بارِ فکر سے مہلت یہ پاتے سر اُٹھانے کی
مصیبت نے طبیعت کی روانی کو کیا پسپا
کہ بار آنے نہ پائی جوہرِ ذاتی دِکھانے کی
۱۴
بہت سے گوہرِ شہوار باقی رہ گئے ہونگے
کہ جنکی خوبیاں سب بہہ گئیں تہہ میں سمندر کی
ہزاروں پھول دشت و دہر میں ایسے بھی کھلے ہونگے
کہ جن کے مسکرُانے میں تھی خوشبو مشک اذفر کی
۱۵
یہ صاحب عزم ہیں گو رزم کی نوبت نہیں آئی
حکومت اپنے قریے میں کی لیکن دوست دشمن پر
وہ فردوسی ہیں یہ جنکی زباں کھلنے نہیں پائی
وہ رستم ہیں نہیں سہراب کا خوں جنکی گردن پر
۱۶
مقدر نے اِنہیں مصروف رکھا قبلہ رانی میں
وگرنہ حکمرانی کا بھی جلوہ یہ دِکھا دیتے
عجب کیا شہرۂ آفاق ہوتے خوش بیانی میں
اور اپنے کارنامے اہلِ عالم کو سنا دیتے
۱۷
رہے محروم نیکی سے بچے ہر اک برائی سے
نہ زورِ مردُم آزاری نہ شورِ فتنہ انگیزی
نہ دولت کی طماع میں بے گناہوں کے گلے کاٹے
نہ کی خلقِ خدا کے ساتھ بے رحمی و خونریزی
۱۸
نہ صحبت میں امیروں کی کبھی خونِ جگر کھایا
نہ اونٹھایا لہو اپنا کبھی جھوٹی خوشامد سے
نہ مَل کے روغنِ قاز آتشِ نخوت کو بھڑکایا
کہ جس سے خود پسندوں کا تحیرّ بڑھ چلے حد سے
۱۹
الگ ہر نیک و بد سے دور دنیا کے مکائد سے
گئے بیگانہ وار اور خلق میں بیگانہ وار آئے
رہے محفوظ اَبنائے زمانہ کے مفاسد سے
قدم راہِ توکلّ سے کبھی ڈگنے نہیں پائے
۲۰
نہ دیکھ اِن اُستخواں پائے شکستہ کو حقارت سے
یہ ہے گورِ غریباں اک نظر حسرت سے کرتا جا
نکلتا ہے یہ مطلب لوحِ تربت کی عبادت سے
جو اِس رستے گذُرتا ہے تو ٹھنڈی سانس بھرتا جا
۲۱
لکھے ہیں نام اِن قبروں پہ گو کاواک حرفوں میں
مگر بھولے ہوے کو ٹھیک یہہ رستہ بتاتے ہیں
اِفادہ اِس سے بڑھ کر اور کیا ہوگا اگر سوچیں
کہ جو مرنے سے ناواقف ہیں رستہ سیکھ جاتے ہیں
गोर-ए ग़रीबाँ – अली हैदर नज़्म तबा तबाई
११
बनाते हो बहु तस्वीर अगर मद्फ़न पे रखने को
पलट कर इस से कुछ निकली हुई सांस आ नहीं सकती
दुआ हो, फ़ातेहा हो, मरसिया हो आह ओ ज़ारी हो
कोई आवाज़ इनके कान ही तक जा नहीं सकती
१२
ख़ुदा जाने थे इन लोगों में क्या क्या जौहर-ए क़ाबिल
ख़ुदा मालूम रखते होंगे ये ज़हन-ए रसा कैसे
ख़ुदा ही को ख़बर है कैसे कैसे होंगे साहिब हल
ख़ुदा मालूम होंगे बाज़ू-ए ज़ोर-आज़मा कैसे
१३
ज़माने ने मगर कोई वरक़ ऐसा नहीं उल्टा
के बार-ए फ़िक्र से मोहलत ये पाते सर उठाने की
मुसीबत ने तबि’यत की रवानी को किया पस्पा
के बार आने न पाई जौहर-ए ज़ाती दिखाने की
१४
बहुत से गौहर-ए शहवार बाक़ी रह गए होंगे
के जिनकी ख़ूबियाँ सब बह गईं तह में समंदर की
हज़ारों फूल दश्त ओ दहर में ऐसे भी खिले होंगे
के जिनके मुस्कुराने में थी ख़ुशबू मुश्क-ए अज़्फ़र की
१५
ये साहिब अज़्म हैं गो रज़्म की नौबत नहीं आई
हुकूमत अपने क़र्ये में की लैकिन दोस्त दुश्मन पर
वो फ़िरदौसी हैं ये जिनकी ज़बां खुलने नहीं पाई
वो रुस्तुम हैं नहीं सोहराब का ख़ूं जिनकी गर्दन पर
१६
मुक़द्दर ने इन्हें मसरूफ़ रक्खा क़िबला-रानी में
वगरना हुक्मरानी का भी जलवा ये दिखा देते
अजब क्या शोहरा-ए आफ़ाक़ होते ख़ुश बयानी में
और अपने कारनामे अहल-ए आलम को सुना देते
१७
रहे महरूम नेकी से, बचे हर एक बुराई से
न ज़ोर-ए मर्दुम-आज़ारी न शोर-ए फ़ित्ना अंगेज़ी
न दौलत की तमा’ में बेगुनाहों के गले काटे
न की ख़ल्क़-ए ख़ुदा के साथ बे रहमी ओ ख़ूंरेज़ी
१८
न सोहबत में अमीरों की कभी ख़ून-ए जिगर खाया
नो औंठाया लहू अपना कभी झूटी ख़ुशामद से
न मल के रौग़न-ए-क़ाज़ आतिश-ए-नख़्वत को भड़काया
के इस से ख़ुदपसंदों का तहय्युर बढ़ चले हद से
१९
अलग हर नेक ओ बद से, दूर दुनिया के मकाएद से
गए बेगाना वार और ख़ल्क़ में बेगाना वार आए
रहे महफ़ूज़ इब्ना-ए ज़माना के मफ़ासिद से
क़दम राह-ए तवक्कुल से कभी डगने नहीं पाए
२०
न देख इन उस्तख्वां पाए शिकस्ता को हिक़ारत से
ये है गोर-ए गरीबां एक नज़र हसरत से करता जा
निकलता है ये मतलब लौह-ए तुर्बत की इबादत से
जो इस रस्ते गुज़रता है तो ठंडी सांस भरता जा
२१
लिखे हैं नाम इन क़ब्रों पे गो कावाक हर्फ़ों में
मगर भूले हुए को ठीक ये रस्ता बताते हैं
इफ़ादा इस से बढ़ कर और क्या होगा अगर सोंचें
के जो मरने से नावाक़िफ़ हैं रस्ता सीख जाते हैं
Click here for background and on any passage for word meanings and explanatory discussion. syed ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai (1854-1933), scholar, critic, translator and poet. In 1883 he moved to hyderabad, Professor, Nizam College and Department of Translation, Osmania University with josh malihabadi. Wrote an explanatory discussion of Ghalib’s diivaan and published his own diivaan. This is a re-composed urdu version of Gray’s Elegy. Also see another one by ameer chand bahaar.
11
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 1.picture (sculpture) of the ghost (dead) 2.grave 3.Qura’anic verses 4.elegy 5.wailing and lamentation
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
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 .jewels of abilities 2.far seeing minds 3.knowledge 4.masters of solving (problems) 5.arms 6.strong
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
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 .times, world 2.page 3.turn, show 4.burden of (daily) worries 5.respite 6.nature, inborn capabilities 7.flow 8.defeated 9.from ‘baari’-turn, occasion 10.personal talent
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
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 1.jewels fit for kings 2.remain, left behind 3.good qualities 4.floor, bed (of the ocean) 5.desert and widerness 6.musk 7.virtuous, good
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
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 1.owner of determination, determined 2.war 3.time, occasion 4.village 5.faarsi poet (Milton in the original) 6.legendary Persian wrestler warrior (Cromwell in the original) 7.legendary Persian wrestler, son of rustum, killed by his father 8.guilt
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
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 1.fortune 2.busy 3.going/looking towards qibla i.e.doing their duty 4.if not 5.governing, leading 6.demonstration 7.not surprising 8.famous around the horizons (all over) 9.good speech 10.accomplishments 11.people of the world
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
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 1.stranger to 2.causing pain to people 3.mischief making 4.desire 5.creatures of god 6.unkindness 7.shedding blood
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
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 1.company 2.torture oneself 3.boil 4.blood 5.false praise 6.butter someone, flatter 7.flame of arrogance/conceit 8.set aflame 9.self loving, egotistical 10.wonder, misconception 11.beyond limit
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
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 1.apart, distant 2.good and evil 3.deceptions 4.unknown, unsung 5.world 6.safe, separate 7.children of the times, people 8.conspiracies 9.steps 10.pathway of trust in god 11.falter
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
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 1.bones 2.broken underfoot 3.contempt 4.grave of the poor 5.used here to mean humility 6.tablet/tombstone 7.respect 8.sigh (sympathy)
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
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 1.even though 2.awkward 3.words 4.wayward, lost 5.benefit 6.unfamiliar, unmindful (of death)
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
syed ali haidar nazm tabaatabaai (1854-1933), scholar, critic, translator and poet. In 1883 he moved to hyderabad, Professor, Nizam College and Department of Translation, Osmania University with josh malihabadi. Wrote an explanatory discussion of Ghalib’s diivaan and published his own diivaan. This is a re-composed urdu version of Gray’s Elegy. Also see another one by ameer chand bahaar.
11
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
1.picture (sculpture) of the ghost (dead) 2.grave 3.Qura’anic verses 4.elegy 5.wailing and lamentation
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
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
1.jewels of abilities 2.far seeing minds 3.knowledge 4.masters of solving (problems) 5.arms 6.strong
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
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
1.times, world 2.page 3.turn, show 4.burden of (daily) worries 5.respite 6.nature, inborn capabilities 7.flow 8.defeated 9.from ‘baari’-turn, occasion 10.personal talent
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
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
1.jewels fit for kings 2.remain, left behind 3.good qualities 4.floor, bed (of the ocean) 5.desert and widerness 6.musk 7.virtuous, good
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
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
1.owner of determination, determined 2.war 3.time, occasion 4.village 5.faarsi poet (Milton in the original) 6.legendary Persian wrestler warrior (Cromwell in the original) 7.legendary Persian wrestler, son of rustum, killed by his father 8.guilt
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
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
1.fortune 2.busy 3.going/looking towards qibla i.e.doing their duty 4.if not 5.governing, leading 6.demonstration 7.not surprising 8.famous around the horizons (all over) 9.good speech 10.accomplishments 11.people of the world
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
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
1.stranger to 2.causing pain to people 3.mischief making 4.desire 5.creatures of god 6.unkindness 7.shedding blood
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
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
1.company 2.torture oneself 3.boil 4.blood 5.false praise 6.butter someone, flatter 7.flame of arrogance/conceit 8.set aflame 9.self loving, egotistical 10.wonder, misconception 11.beyond limit
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
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
1.apart, distant 2.good and evil 3.deceptions 4.unknown, unsung 5.world 6.safe, separate 7.children of the times, people 8.conspiracies 9.steps 10.pathway of trust in god 11.falter
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
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
1.bones 2.broken underfoot 3.contempt 4.grave of the poor 5.used here to mean humility 6.tablet/tombstone 7.respect 8.sigh (sympathy)
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
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
1.even though 2.awkward 3.words 4.wayward, lost 5.benefit 6.unfamiliar, unmindful (of death)
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
