pesh jo aayā sar-e-sāhil-e-shab batlāyā
mauj-e-ġham ko bhī magar mauj-e-tarab batlāyā
hai batāne kī koī chiiz bhalā nām-o-nasab
ham ne pūchhā na kabhī nām-o-nasab batlāyā
rañg mahfil kā ajab ho gayā jis dam us ne
ḳhāmushī ko bhī mirī husn-e-talab batlāyā
dil ko duniyā se sarokār kabhī thā hī nahīñ
aañkh ne bhī magar is ruḳh ko ajab batlāyā
ye udāsī kā sabab pūchhne vaale 'ajmal'
kyā kareñge jo udāsī kā sabab batlāyā