Comma for either/or — dharma, courage. Spelling forgiving — corage finds courage.

    Cover for Diwan-E-Ghalib

    Diwan-E-Ghalib

    Kabhi neiki bhi us ke jee mein gar aa jaaye hai mujh se

    Mirza Ghalib

    Trace this book's journey in the atlas →

    When some rare thought of kindness for me crosses her soul, She recalls all her tyrannies, and the shame takes its toll; it is more than I can bear.

    O God, the law of my heart's desire is turned astray, The more I try to draw her close, the more she pulls away; it is more than I can bear.

    Her ways are cruel, my tale of love a sorrow to recount, My messenger, hearing a part, flees from the sheer amount; it is more than I can bear.

    On her side lies suspicion, and on my side, a weakened heart, She cannot bring herself to ask, and I can't speak my part; it is more than I can bear.

    O Despair, let me find my strength, this is a dreadful fray, The very memory of my love now starts to slip away; it is more than I can bear.

    Let's set all pretense aside; her very gaze is pain, How can I look upon her face and witness such disdain? It is more than I can bear.

    In this, the battlefield of love, my feet were the first prey, I find I cannot run from it, and yet I cannot stay; it is more than I can bear.

    It is the final tragedy, O Ghalib, this last blow, The one I'd not trust God to keep, now with my rival goes; it is more than I can bear.