(Makhooz Az Lang Fellow)
The Message Of Dawn
(Adapted from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
Naseem-e-Zindagi Pegham Layi Subah-e-Khandan Ka
When the sparkling of the night’s forehead’s decoration disappeared
The zephyr of life with the news of the happy morning appeared
Kinare Khait Ke Shana Hilaya Uss Ne Dehqan Ka
It awakened the nightingale of flowery song in its nest
It shook the shoulder of the farmer on the field’s edge
Andhere Mein Uraya Taj-e-Zar Shama-e-Shabistan Ka
It broke the spell of darkness of night’s talisman with Surah al‐Nur
It robbed the golden crown of bed‐chamber’s candle in the dark
Barhman Ko Diya Pegham Khursheed-e-Durakhshan Ka
It chanted the magic of awakening on those sleeping in the temple
It gave the Brahman the tidings of the bright sun
Nahin Khatka Tere Dil Mein Namood-e-Mehr-e-Taban Ka?
Arriving at the mosque’s roof it said to the Mu’adhdhin
“Do you not fear appearance of the resplendent sun?”
Chatak O Ghuncha-e-Gul! Tu Moazzan Hai Gulistan Ka
Climbing the garden’s wall it cried this to the rose‐bud
“Burst! You are the Mu’adhdhin of the morning O rose‐bud”
Chamakne Ko Hai Juggnu Ban Ke Har Zarra Byaban Ka
It gave the command in the wilderness “Move O Caravan”!
“Every dust speck will shine like fire‐fly in the wilderness”
To Yun Boli Nazara Dekh Kar Sheher-e-Khamoshan Ka
When it reached the cemetery from the living’s habitation
Witnessing the spectacle of the cemetery it spoke thus
Sula Dun Gi Jahan Ko, Khawab Se Tum Ko Jagaun Gi
“Remain lying in comfort still, come again shall I
Make the whole world sleep, wake you up shall I