When the colorful Holi
Came sailing with a sweet
Rapturous motion; when it threw
Away the veil from its face
And put forth before the eye
The splendor of her face
All shimmering with bright ornaments;
Then merrily
She set her foot
And the anklets showered a spray
Of sweet and charming music
From her eyes flashed
A succession of coquettish winks
And some passionate sighs
Vibrated in her breast.
- Nazir Akbarabadi
Translation Rafiq Zakaria
Came sailing with a sweet
Rapturous motion; when it threw
Away the veil from its face
And put forth before the eye
The splendor of her face
All shimmering with bright ornaments;
Then merrily
She set her foot
And the anklets showered a spray
Of sweet and charming music
From her eyes flashed
A succession of coquettish winks
And some passionate sighs
Vibrated in her breast.
- Nazir Akbarabadi
Translation Rafiq Zakaria