Mir Taqi Mir

I recently read Khushwant singh's 'Delhi'.. about various aspects of delhi's History.. though the style of writing wasn't something that impressed me.. the poetry of Mir Taqi Mir that forms part of the story did... here's a few couplets..

Dream like this show if we come to think
All those who sit and chat will vanish in a wink
no use opening your eyes, open too your ears
this merry meet will disappear with a flap of wing.
kuch khwab si hai mir, yeh suhbat daari,
uth jaenge ye baithe hue yak baari,
kya ankhon ko khola hai tanik gosh ko khol,
afsaana hai par maarte majlis saari.

The fair in face are loved by all
All the world is beauty's thrall!
Khoobroo sab ki jaan hotein hain,
Arjoo-e-jahan hote hain.

I tried my very best to keep my love concealed,
but a sudden slip of tongue did my heart reveal.
Har chand main ne shauq ko pinhaan kiya, wale
Ek aadh harf pyar ka munh se nikal gaya..

Rely not on her generous ways,
the world, O Mir, our trust betrays.
Iltefaat-e-zamana par mat jaa,
Mir deta hai rozgaar fareb..

and the best of the lot....

Ibtadaae ishq hai rota hai kya,Aage aage dekhiye hota hai kya.
Qafile mein subah ke ek shor hai,Yaani ghaafil ham chale sota hai kya.
Sabz hoti hi nahin yeh sar zamin,Tukhm-e-khwahish dil mein tu bota hai kya.
Yeh nishaan-e-ishq hain jaate nahin,Daagh chhaati ke abas dhota hai kya.
Ghairat-e-Yousaf hai yeh waqt-e-aziz, Mir isko raigaan khota hai kya.