Is bazm mein mujhe nahin banti haya kiye

In this grand hall, I cannot act with grace, and so it goes; I see the signs, but cannot leave my place, and so it goes.

It’s just a heart, it fears the courtly games you play; So I will leave your door without a word to say, and so it goes.

My dervish-cloak and prayer-mat are pawned for wine to pay; Too long since I have sought a brighter, clearer day, and so it goes.

Let Khizr’s endless life be simply thrown away; For even he will ask, “What marked my every way?” and so it goes.

If I had power, I would ask the miser clay: “Those priceless treasures—what have you stored away?” and so it goes.

Was there a day my rivals did not scheme and betray? Was there a day the saw’s sharp teeth did not hold sway? and so it goes.

I hope my rival did not teach her this new way; She offers kisses now, for which I do not pray, and so it goes.

Her pride is one thing, but this habit I’ll obey; By chance she’s kept a hundred vows along the way, and so it goes.

So Ghalib, tell us, what reply can you display? You went on speaking; she just listened anyway, and so it goes.