رمز عشق تو بہ ارباب ہوس نتوان گفتسخن از تاب و تب شعلہ بہ خس نتوان گفت
To passion’s slaves let no man e’er. The mystery of thy love declare:It is not meet for straws to hear. Talk of the blazing brazier.
تو مرا ذوق بیان دادی و گفتی کہ بگویہست در سینۂ من آنچہ بکس نتوان گفت
I was to eloquence designed, And thou hast bid me speak my mind;Such things are in the breast of me . As unto none may uttered be.
از نہانخانۂ دل خوش غزلی می خیزدسر شاخی ھمہ گویم بہ قفس نتوان گفت
Deep in my heart’s recesses lies. The sweetest song that yearns to rise;Among the leaves my notes shall ring, But in the cage I cannot sing.
شوق اگر زندۂ جاوید نباشد عجب استکہ حدیث تو درین یک دو نفس نتوان گفت
‘Tis passing strange, if yearning be. Not born to immortality;How can thy history be said. In these few breaths, ere I. am dead?
From Zabur-e-Ajam (1927) by Allama Muhammad Iqbal · verified text, Iqbal Academy Pakistan
