The pain’s cure and life’s sorrow departed;

That guide of the age, the messiah of the time has left.

Neither was it a Hindu, nor a Muslim who passed away;

It was a man who left in the search of Man!

He departed neither dancing nor singing,

But rolling in pain and sorrow.

The tresses of infidelity are dishevelled; faith is prostrated;

That pride of infidelity and of faith has departed.

Who should console the sick man of Life?

The pulse-finder, the physician of the sick has left;

Now who will cast his glance of kindness on ‘sin’?

That one confidant of the delicacy of sin has departed.

Knower of the secret of the assembly of friends is no more.

That sympathizer with the gathering of rivals has gone.

No longer is there one to practice the enchantment of infidelity.

The truth is – faith has departed.

The one drunk with the intoxication of the heart and life is no more,

A lover of hidden truths has departed.

The eyes of the Zulaikhas of the world are tearful today; 

That breaker of prisons, Joseph, a captive, has left.

O desire, do not seek that spring of life;

That spring of life has taken leave of darkness.

Now stones and bricks, dust and shells raise their heads;

That bright diamond in the country’s crown has vanished;

Now the blood-dripping sword is in the hands of the devil,

Who is happy that the strength of the Creator has gone.

The battle with the demon of evil may be difficult,

But it is not that the strength of youth has gone.

Is not the sentiment of honor in the people of heart?

Has the notion of self-sacrifice departed from the people?

Has the fire in the heart of the rebels turned cold?

Has the hidden sentiment of the insurgents departed?

Has that madness and wakeful sentiment died?

Has that youth which created havoc departed?

If evil is happy after casting this net over virtue,

Let us rip the heart out of evil and toss it aside.

1950

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From: Āhang (Melody; 1938). Dihlī: Āzād Kitāb Ghar. 1956. pp. 155 – 58