शग्ले शबे तन्हाई (Shagle Shab-e-Tanhaayi) -- Nawab Mirza Muhammad Taqi Khan 'Hawis'

[Urdu Couplet #25]

शग्ले शबे तन्हाई किससे कहें हम अपना 

दो-चार घड़ी रोकर बहलाते हैं ग़म अपना 

Shagle shab-e-tanhaayi kisse kahen hum apna

Do-chaar ghadi rokar bahaalate hain gam apna

शग्ले शबे तन्हाई (shagle shab-e-tanhaayi) = the way to spend a lonely night; शब (shab) = night; तन्हाई (tanhaayi) = loneliness; रोकर (rokar) = by crying ; बहलाते (bahaalate) = pacifying

[English Meaning]

The way I pass a lonely night whom should I tell

For few moments I cry and pacify my sorrow

or

Who should I tell how I pass a lonely night 

I cry awhile and pacify my sorrow

Note: In this couplet, the poet is talking about the night when he is away from his beloved. He tells about the loneliness that fills his heart with sorrow, which he is unable to share with anyone. The only way he is able to pacify his grieving heart is by shedding tears in the midst of the night.

About the Poet

नवाब मिर्जा मुहम्मदतकी खाँ 'हविस' Nawab Mirza Muhammad Taqi Khan 'Hawis' hailed from Faizabad while he completed his education from Lucknow. He was a disciple of मुसहफ़ी Musahfi. His poetry had the charm like the poems of the great poet मीर Mir.