THE GUIDE OF THE AGE*

 S. M. Owais, Tr.

 (1)

خضرِ وقت از خلوتِ دشتِ حجاز آید بروں
کارواں زیں وادئ دور و دراز آید بروں

Oh, Hark ! the Guide of Age is up and risen

From cloistered waste of Desert Araby!

And now from that far-off lonely wild Vale,

The Caravan starts and hastens, marches on !

(2)

من بسیمائے غلاماں فرِّ سلطاں دیدہ ام
شعلۂ محمود از خاکِ ایاز آید بروں

So radiant in the brows of his bondsmen

The Sultan's regal refulgence I've seen,

As leaps from dust of lowly humble Ayaz,

The many-splendoured flame of great Mamūd!

(3)

عمرہا در کعبہ و بت خانہ می نالد حیات
تا زبزمِ عشق یک دانائے راز آید بروں!

For ages long in Ka'bah and idol-house

Life sighs and yearns to grow and find own self,

Till comes the Sage from hallowed Hall of Love

Of God's secrets and His Purpose fully wise!

(4)

طرحِ نو می افگند اندر ضمیرِ کائنات
نالہ ہا کز سینۂ اہلِ نیاز آید بروں!

For inmost chord of God's own high Heavens

A melody fresh, a strain all new is vouched.

By soulful sighs when they in harmony rise

From hearts in tune with God, in submission couched.

(5)

چنگ را گیرید ازدستم کہ کار از دست رفت
نغمہ ام خوں گشت و از رگہائے ساز آید بروں

Ah, take this lyre, my friend, from palsied hand!

No music-maker now ! Nor music in refrain !

To flowing stream of blood is turned my strain,

And now bursting gushes forth from lyre's stringed veins.


* Zabūr-i `Ajam, p. 103.