Barq mera aashiyan kab ka jala kar le gayi

The lightning long ago had burned my nest away, And what small ash remained, the wind then swept away.

My frantic heart could not advance to where she stood; It faltered twice, then my own weakness bore it off for good.

My own debility just carried me from sight, As from one ant another snatches crumbs with all its might.

Who leaves the morning of her face for her dark tresses' night? My cursed heart, your own misfortune led you from the light.

The mountain's hem was stained with blood where poor Farhad had bled; Why has the stream of milk not washed away that mark of red?

My caravan, you left me there abandoned on the way, But the sharp summons of the bell then roused and drew me away.

When her sharp eyelash met the ones whose breasts were pierced and sore, From shattered heart-shards, it composed a rose bouquet and bore.

Did you not see love's pull, O Layla, how it made your ride Forget its path, and toward Majnun it was drawn aside?

O inner fire, praise to you! Within her lane's dark way, The lightning of my sighs became a torch that led astray.

She went to see my rival; in a moment, I was gone, As dark suspicion led me past a hundred homes till dawn.

The one who lay within your lane, a martyr to your grace— How can I say how cruelest fate then bore him from that place?

A whirlwind in the wastes of dread, or was it your mad slave? The soul of Majnun came to greet and drew him to his grave.

Who else would fall into the fire? But for the moth, its doom Was sealed when love's own burning flame consumed it in the gloom.

O fairy, what to say about the glance you cast at me? Did it just steal my heart, or give it wings to fly out free?

For me to die, dear Zauq, there was no reason and no cause; But Death arrived in her lane, and it swept me past all laws.