Ballade Of Muhammad Din Tilai

A twist of fresh flowers on your dark hair,     And your hair is a panther's shadow.     On your white cheeks the down of a thousand roses,     They speak about your beauty in Lahore.     You have your mother's lips;     Your ring is frosted with rubies,     And your hair is a panther's shadow.     Your ring is frosted with rubies;     I was unhappy and you looked over the wall,     I saw your face among the crimson lilies;     There is no armour that a lover can buy,     And your hair is a panther's shadow.     "The cool fingers of the mistress burn her lovers     And they go away.     I have fatigued the wise of many lands,     And my hair is a tangle of serpents.     What is the profit of these shawls without you?     And my hair is a panther's shadow."     "A squadron of my father's men are about me,     And I have woven a collar of yellow flowers.     My eyes are veiled because I drink cups of bhang,     Being a daughter of the daughter of queens.     You cannot touch me because of my palaces,     And my hair is a panther's shadow."     I will touch you, though your beauty be as fair as song;     For I am a disciple of Abdel Qadir Gilani,     And my songs are as beautiful as women and as strong as love;     And your hair is a panther's shadow.     Your ring is frosted with rubies....     Muhammad Din awaits the parting of your scarves;     Tilai is standing here, young and magnificent like a tree;     And your hair is a panther's shadow.     From the Pus'hto (Afghans, nineteenth century).