گذر از آنکہ ندیدست و جز خبر ندہدسخن دراز کند لذت نظر ندہد
Leave him who never won to sight, And bears report alone;Who makes long speech, but the delight, Of vision gives to none.
شنیدہ ام سخن شاعر و فقیہ و حکیماگرچہ نخل بلند است برگ و بر ندہد
To bard and scholar listened I, Philosopher to boot;Although their palm is proud and high, It yields nor leaf nor fruit.
تجلئی کہ برو پیر دیر می نازدہزار شب دہد و تاب یک سحر ندہد
The gleam that hoary acolyte. So prides himself uponReveals a thousand shades of night, But never glow of dawn.
ہم از خدا گلہ دارم کہ بر زبان نرسدمتاع دل برد و یوسفی بہ بر ندہد
I have a charge ‘gainst God to lay. That still I keep concealed;He takes my precious heart away, And Joseph does not yield.
نہ در حرم نہ بہ بتخانہ یابم آن ساقیکہ شعلہ شعلہ ببخشد شرر شرر ندہد
Neither in idol-house nor shrine. That Saqi I can findTo grant, no ember’s fitful shine, But splendour unconfined.
From Zabur-e-Ajam (1927) by Allama Muhammad Iqbal · verified text, Iqbal Academy Pakistan
