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

Sankyang / Xinjiang

Now no drum will sound, no rider

Will set out at dawn from the valley of death;

Now, no war, nor will tears have to quell

Blood-fire late at night.

.

Throughout the night, no heart will throb,

Nor doubt descend upon the courtyard like an ill-omened

Bird, nor fear, like an incarnadine beast.

Now there will be no war; bring glasses and wine;

No more shedding of blood or tears;

O saqi, dance like the morning breeze;

O singer, a ghazal the colour of henna!

.

From: Dast-i tah-yi sang (Hand Beneath the Stone). Dihlī: ʻAlīgaṛh: Ejūkeshanal Buk Hāʼūs, 1979. pp. 25 – 27

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

             

Now no drum will sound, no rider

Will set out at dawn from the valley of death;

Now, no war, nor will tears have to quell

Blood-fire late at night.

.

Throughout the night, no heart will throb,

Nor doubt descend upon the courtyard like an ill-omened

Bird, nor fear, like an incarnadine beast.

Now there will be no war; bring glasses and wine;

No more shedding of blood or tears;

O saqi, dance like the morning breeze;

O singer, a ghazal the colour of henna!

.

From: Dast-i tah-yi sang (Hand Beneath the Stone). Dihlī: ʻAlīgaṛh: Ejūkeshanal Buk Hāʼūs, 1979. pp. 25 – 27

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