Mystic Poem by Zeb-un-Nissa, daughter of Aurangzeb

Mystic Poem by Zeb-un-Nissa, daughter of Aurangzeb, from Diwan-e-Makhfi

 

My eager heart a pang of rapture stings

When the long-wandering wind unto me brings

The perfume of thy presence on its wings

 

 

And so I wait in this my sorrow’s night

Until thou givest to my weary sight

Thy beauty for my longing eyes’ delight

 

The world through Islam light in darkness saw

And walked safe guided by thy Scroll of Law

Bowing to God in hope and holy awe

 

To God, Who sinners can forgive and lead

Inscrutable Himself, yet Who can read

The hidden heart and comprehend its need

 

0 Prophet, shining like a lonely gem,

The fairest of Heaven’s highest diadem,

Look on men’s need and intercede for them

 

Thou art the veil through which the light doth shine,

Nay, thou thyself the very torch divine

Naught else behold these dazzled eyes of mine.