WILLIAM  SHAKESPEARE

Introduction
‘All«mah Iqb«l, being a genius himself, appreciated greatness wherever he saw it. His appreciation of genius transcends race, nationality and fields of excellence. In the previous pages we have seen some samples of his exuberant praise where it was deserved. In this poem his hero is no less a personality than William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Shakespeare is acknowledged as the greatest English poet and playwright. He was born and brought up at Stratford-upon-Avon. He stayed in London from 1592 to about 1616 where he perfected his art and returned to his home town about the time of his death. Different ages and different scholars of Shakespeare have admired and eulogized different aspects of his genius. However, ‘All«mah Iqb«l in conformity with other modern critics, has been greatly impressed by Shakespeare’s command of language which made him conscious symphonic artist. This feeling is reflected in the poem under study.

Translation
To the dawn’s twilight the river’s graceful flow is a mirror
To the evening’s song the evening’s silence is a mirror

To the spring’s beautiful cheek flower petal is a mirror
To the lover of wine the cup’s cavity is mirror

Beauty is God’s mirror and heart is Beauty’s mirror
To the human heart the beauty of your marks is a mirror

By your heaven-embracing thought is the perfection of existence
Was your bright nature the aim of existence?

When the eye searching for your sight sought you
It saw the sun veiled in the brightness of the sun

Your existence surely remained veiled from the world’s eye
And your eye saw the world completely unveiled

Nature has such a strong desire for guarding secrets
That another confidante like you it will never create!