S. R. Faruqi:

(1) Well, only a fool wouldn't feel anxious after sending her a letter.
I myself would be mistrustful even if my courier were God's own messenger.

(2) If I had a mind, I'd put my arms around you and lift you up.
However full your figure, you are a mere flower to me.

[The person addressed here is a female, the verse testifying to the admiration, widely shared, for the plus-sized woman.]

(3) The kohl that sharpens people's eyesight everywhere
is probably no more than the fine dust on the road that leads to the beloved.

(4) I would go sacrifice my life for her, but what is my capacity and capability?
I'm almost dead--and who knows, one only half-alive might not be accepted.

(5) These days I am not of a mind to exert myself all the time.
Otherwise I can get everything I desire once I get down and pray to God.

(6) The boys of Delhi made off with my heart, digested and absorbed it long ago.
What hope could I have of ever getting back what was like meat and drink to them?

[Mir thought of Delhi as his own home city; the way he spelled it made it resemble an adjective meaning "pertaining to the heart."]

(7) You get nothing because you want everything right now, today.
My dear, venerable Mir Sahib, aren't you in a tearing hurry!

 

FWP:

(inspired by SRF's translation)

(1) After writing her a letter, even a fool would be distrustful--
I'd be suspicious, even if the Prophet were my Messenger!

(2) If I so chose, I'd lift you right now into my lap!
No matter how weighty you are, to me you're a flower.

(3) The collyrium that lights up everyone's eyes--
perhaps it's the dust of the pathway of the beloved.

(4) If I would go to sacrifice myself-- on what basis?
Only if my one half-life would be accepted.

(5) These days I don't feel like it, morning and evening.
Otherwise, if I prayed, I could get whatever I want.

(6) The boys of Delhi have absorbed my heart long ago.
Now, what hope of retrieving a digested thing?

(7) You fail because you want everything today.
Aren't you, revered Mir Sahib, being rather hasty?

 

Zahra Sabri:

Zahra Sabri is a special guest translator for this site.

(1) Having written a letter for her, only someone naïve would not feel uneasy
I would be mistrustful even if the messenger was the Messenger himself

(2) I could lift you up in my arms right now, if I so wished
However weighty you may be, you’re a flower before me

(3) The collyrium that grants light to the eyes of mankind
May perhaps be the dust of the beloved’s path

(4) On what basis should I go and offer up my life in devotion?
I’m only half-alive – the remaining half merely awaits acceptance as a sacrifice

(5) These days, I just don’t cling and kneel all morning and evening
Else, were I to pray, I would gain whatever I desire

(6) The lads of Delhi took my heart and swallowed it up a while ago
Now what’s the use of trying to collect from them something already digested?

(7) You’re unsuccessful because you want to gain everything today
You, my dear sir “Mir”, are in quite a great hurry