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!