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qamar baa.Ndhe huye chalane pe yaa.N sab yaar baiThe hai.n
bahut aage gaye, baaqii jo hai.n tayyaar baiThe hai.n

na chhe.D ai nikahat baad-e-bahaarii, raah lag apanii
tujhe aThakheliyaa.N suujhii hai.n, ham bezaar baiThe hai.n

[nikahat = fragnance; baad = wind; ]

Khayaal un kaa pare hai arsh-e-aazam se kahii.n saaqii
garaz kuchh aur dhun me.n is gha.Dii maiKhvaar baiThe hai.n

basaane naqsh-e-paa-e-raharavaa.N kuu-e-tamannaa me.n
nahii.n uThane kii taaqat kyaa kare.n laachaar baiThe hai.n

(Like the footprint of the traveller in the lane of love
I have lost the strength to raise myself, the will to make a move)

kahe.n hai.n sabr kis ko aah na.ng-o-naam hai kyaa shai
garaz ro piiTakar in sab ko ham yakabaar baiThe hai.n

(The virtues they call patience, fame and honour, and strength of mind
I have wept and beat my head for them, and now I sit resigned)

kahii.n bose kii mat jurrat dilaa! kar baiThiyo un se
abhii is had ko vo kaifii nahii.n hoshiyaar baiThe hai.n

[bosaa = kiss; dilaa = O heart]

(O heart! forbear to kiss her on her lips, for she is not ready
she has not drunk enough to make her feel a but unsteady)

najiibo.n kaa ajab kuchh haal hai is daur me.n yaaro.n
jise puuchho yahii kahate hai.n ham bekaar baiThe hai.n

[najiib = noblemen; daur = age]

na_ii yah vazaa sharmaane kii siikhii aaj hai tum ne
hamaare paas saahab varnaa yuu.N sau baar baiThe hai.n

[vazaa = way]

(Today you have learnt another way of being shy my dear
It is not the first time you have sat beside me here)


kahaa.N gardish falak kii chain detii hai sunaa 'Insha'
Ganiimat hai ki ham-suurat yahaa.N do chaar baiThe hai.n

(So tell me, Insha, where to rest, which way does my fortune bend
I am thankful that at least I still have one or two good friends)