O rose, you blossomed in my life,
When my world was young and gay,
And caught me as a songbird in a net,
With tumult in my heart !

I sailed out like the Kartik moon,
All aglow with love.
Now my ssvan's neck is bent, O rose,
My youth has melted away !

A yemberzal, full of love,
Came with brimming cups of wine -
Her wistful downcast eyes
Stealing a hungry look at you.

Yearning made me delve deep
Into all the books on love,
And fill all chambers of my heart
With these precious tomes.

You failed our tryst at Yaarivan.
And dazed and rooted
Like a forest pine,
Your Heemal pined for love.

It can't be without cause
That you're dressed in crimson robes !
Wherefrom have you come, O rose,
Dyed thus in human blood ?

Thousands flock at your gate,
Wearing fragrant blooms of spring -
Amorous youth and pretty dolls,
Each consumed with longing.

The florist's eye knows each flower's worth
It isn't deceived by colour !
He can spot out where iris lies
Mixed with saffron flowers.

Fragrance in the breeze whets
The bulbul's thirst for beauty.
But, O rose, Mahjoor looks
For something more in you !