WARIS SHAH

Heer and Ranhja
…..
Of the Sister-in-law again:

O ruffian, shut up, that is the limit,

and mend your ways if yoy care to be fed.

'You are discussed at watering-places,

your ill-fame even the spinning wheels hum.

'And many a girl you have ruined, that fell

for you, forsaken of house and home.

'Your jet-black curls are cobra-snakes

that suck at the heart and drain its blood.

'O wanton, mad with the folly of youth,

you spit and belch the fire of pride.

'A blazing turban on hair well-curled

and oiled, at passing girls you stare.

'At home should the broth be short of salt,

you toss the trenchers into the air.

'A gourmand, wastrel, dandy, and shirker,

you put too much worth on your hide.'

Of Dhido beating a retreat:

'I've strayed, unknowing, into your parlour,

O vampire, let me go my way.

'I'll go from here for fear of you,

and leave you mistress of the house.

'Why should you rack me day and night,

even if you have a handsome face?

'Encumbered with pride of beauty you go,

this pride will have a fall, beware!

'Stiff-lipped and vain, you seem to hate

to have to breathe this common air.

'Beloved of fortune and of man,

withhold your cruel scorn, I pray.'

…..


Heer’s lament

…..
As Heer * did set her faltering feet

Upon the dhooly’s bed, her cries

Did echo through the solitude

Of the surrounding earth and skies.

The farmer heard the passing screams

In far off fields beyond the streams,

And stopped his work to breathe a sigh

In consort with each doleful cry…

…..
My game of love is at an end;

No more shall I come back for play.

A captive withered with dismay

In Saida’s house, I’ll moan and rend

The air with my distressing cries.

Behold I leave my childhood’s home,

Renouncing all emotional ties

And worldly fortunes, through the loam.

See the four corners of my scarf

Are empty. Lo there is no gold,

No jewellery, not even half

A coin tucked in between its fold.

I find no pleasure and no pride

In the pretensions of a bride.

…..
Translation: S.N. DAR

* Mythic lovers, the gorgeous Heer is forced to marry another man and ultimately chooses death, flute player Ranhja follows her in death.