naveed-e-aman hai bedaad-e-dost jaan ke liye

My lover's cruelty is a balm that soothes my pain; The heavens have no novel tortures to ordain.

Who cares if her sharp lashes thirst to leave a stain? I have my own blood-weeping eyes that weep in vain.

We live who walk with men, O Khizr, known and plain, Not you, who stole eternal life for selfish gain.

In ruin, I am plagued by jealousy's sharp bane; Your grace itself is fatal for the world's domain.

O Fate, don't keep me from her, let my life be ta'en; I'm not the only test for her murderous campaign.

My struggle is a caged bird, driven by its strain To gather scraps of straw to build its nest in vain.

He saw a beggar and was silent with disdain; My luck ran out, I rose to meet the watchman's chain.

The ghazal's narrow cup my passion can't contain; I need a vaster world for what I must explain.

All worldly joy was fashioned for Hussain Khan's reign, But shared, lest evil eyes should bring him loss or pain.

O God, what name upon my tongue does now remain? My own speech kisses it, a sacred, sweet refrain.

He guards the faith and state, our nation to sustain; The highest heaven serves as his sublime domain.

The age adorns itself while he is suzerain; New stars will rise for skies within his blessed reign.

The page is full, and yet his praises still remain; A ship is needed for this endless ocean's main.

With his own style has Ghalib made these verses plain: A gift for knowing friends who can the sense obtain.