S. R. Faruqi:

(1) It's my longing, my most powerful desire, to die holding a brimful wine cup
In a winehouse redolent with the wine's flowery fragrance.

(2) There's no clank of chains now, no flocks of gazelles.
The wilderness was teeming only during my time of madness.

(3) I was in the agony of death when she put my head in her lap and said:
"Let death be quick and easy for you, oh my sick man."

(4) Why shouldn't Rekhta be devoid of tumult, and mood, and meaning?
Mir went mad, only Sauda remained--and he's drunk all the time.

[SRF provides a lengthy note that has been included with his commentary on this verse.]

 

FWP:

(inspired by SRF's translation)

(1) This is my longing: to die holding a brimming wineglass,
In a winehouse wholly perfumed with flower-like wine.

(2) There's neither the clanking of chains, nor the flocks of gazelles.
The wilderness was well-settled only while I was mad.

(3) As I was dying, she took my head in her lap and said,
'Oh my lovesick one, may your death be quick and easy!'

(4) Why wouldn't Rekhtah be without tumult, and mood, and meaning?
If the madman Mir would be gone, there remains Sauda-- who's drunk.

 

Zahra Sabri:

Zahra Sabri is a special guest translator for this site.

(1) I have this longing, that I should die there, holding a cup brimming over
In a winehouse wholly suffused with the fragrance of flower-like wine

(2) Neither is there that tumult of chains, nor those flocks of gazelles
The desert remained thronged only as long as my madness lasted

(3) Cradling my head on her knee, as I was at my last breath, she spoke thus:
‘Oh my love-sick one, may your death be quick and painless’

(4) Why should Urdu verse not be bereft of frenzy, emotion, and meaning
When Mir the madman has gone, and Sauda remains, but lost to drink?