WARIS SHAH
Heer’s lament
(out of Heer and Ranhja)
…..
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.