This poem was translated by Professor Carlo Coppola as part of the MULOSIGE Translations project. You can explore our collection of Urdu Poetry here.

Professor Carlo Coppola, Oakland University

Nauras / Nine rasas

That first song of spring,

That longing of the moon and stars,

The sound of unsung songs

From Gabriel’s lips,

The rouge of newly awakened youth

On the face of innocent maidenhood—

She is a melody made

Of the houris’ heavenly music;

She is like fire

That gave Moses his place of honor;

Descending from the assembly of stars

She sleeps in flower buds,

Loosens herself in the cluster

Of bright moon beams.

I never had the courage to say

“I love you.” I could not express my longing.

I could not have the courage to express myself.

Come into the heart of the poet.

O, come into your nest.

.

From: Bisāt̤-i raqṣ (Dance Carpet). Ḥaidarābād, Inḍiyā: Istiqbāliyah kameṭī jashn-i Mak̲h̲dūm, 1966. pp. 67 – 68

Nauras  is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970

             

That first song of spring,

That longing of the moon and stars,

The sound of unsung songs

From Gabriel’s lips,

The rouge of newly awakened youth

On the face of innocent maidenhood—

She is a melody made

Of the houris’ heavenly music;

She is like fire

That gave Moses his place of honor;

Descending from the assembly of stars

She sleeps in flower buds,

Loosens herself in the cluster

Of bright moon beams.

I never had the courage to say

“I love you.” I could not express my longing.

I could not have the courage to express myself.

Come into the heart of the poet.

O, come into your nest.

.

From: Bisāt̤-i raqṣ (Dance Carpet). Ḥaidarābād, Inḍiyā: Istiqbāliyah kameṭī jashn-i Mak̲h̲dūm, 1966. pp. 67 – 68

Nauras  is quoted in full in Urdu Poetry, 1935-1970