Bazm-e-shahanshah mein ashaar ka daftar khula

In the emperor’s court, the book of verse was opened wide; O Lord, I pray this treasury of pearls remains unlocked.

The night arrived, and then the scene of shining stars appeared, With such display, an idol-temple's door was opened wide.

Though I'm mad with love, why be deceived by one I trust? A dagger in the sleeve, and in the hand a lancet was revealed.

I may not grasp her words, nor ever understand her ways, But is it not enough that she, that fairy-form, became so frank with me?

To contemplate her beauty is itself a virtuous deed; Within my very grave, a door to paradise has opened now.

Her face remains unseen, a state of wonder I had never known; More than her hair, the veil itself is spread across her face.

He told me I could stay, then turned his word around and left, All in the time it took for my rolled bedding to be unfurled.

Why is this night of sorrow dark, with calamities descending? Tonight, on me alone, the eye of every star will stay revealed.

How can I live in exile happily, when fortune is like this? The letters from my home so often from the bearer arrive unsealed.

I am among his people; why, then, Ghalib, are my works all barred? For him, that sacred King, the very doorless dome itself unbarred.