(Original Urdu Marsiya by [tbd]; translation by Syeda Raza)

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When the Ladies were presented in the court of Yazid

Losing consciousness often, the hardships so steep

“Rare is our condition, our plight” Zaynab called

“Husayn was beheaded, bare-headed we proceed”

 

“Why don’t the heavens come crashing this fateful day?

Zahra’s daughter is presented before the ruler today”

 

“The court is crowded with attendants, young and old

Governors recline on chairs by the ruler’s throne

Allah’s beloveds stand below humbled and meek

Ali’s progeny is bound in chains and ropes”

 

“Pray someone rush to Najaf, give Ali this report

That Zaynab entered today the evil king’s court”

 

“Oh people call for my Brother, in Kerbela He sleeps

Call for my youthful Akber, for whom his mother weeps

Pray someone carry this news to my brother Abbas

Someone tell Hasan’s son of his aunt’s state indeed”

 

“Although I have no wish that Qasim be here today

To see his bride, newly-wed, stand bare-headed, dismayed”

 

“You know not my Father, His generosity was unmatched

The Helper of all, representing the Lord in all acts

Beyond comparison my Grandfather, the Prophet of God

And the pride of Ali and Mohammed, my dear Brother alas”

 

“Forgetting who I am you turn away from me

Oh people you offer no solace in my grief”

 

Thus stood the Prophet’s kin in the opulent court

While in awe of the ruler, the nervous crowd roared

And with a cup of wine in one hand, a bottle in another

The evil Yazeed sat shamelessly on his throne

 

Bloody-eyed, drunk, with the stench of liquor he reeked

While the head of the Noble Prince rested beneath his seat

 

A foreigner happened to be among the crowd that day

And he called out to Yazeed “Tell me, I pray

“The state of things I see make me restless oh Yazeed

Whose head lies underneath your throne today?”

 

“It does not seem to be that of a sinner as you claim

His face radiates a glow, as though of noble fame”

 

“Tomorrow I am headed to see the king of Rome

Who will ask me undoubtedly of my travels far from home

I will certainly talk about what I see here today

Pray explain all this to me, am I astonished alone?”

 

“Where was this person killed, wherefrom did He hail?

Was He a follower of Mohammed, why was He slain?”

 

“This youth who is shackled and burdened with chains

He is clearly very ill, what is His name?

And the little girl whose neck is bound in ropes

To bind one so young, even an unbeliever would feel shame”

 

“On these ladies and widows you inflict great grief

You tease and torture these children beyond belief”

 

“These senseless acts of cruelty astound my mind

The head that rests by your throne utters words sublime

Yet you smack its lips with the stick you boldly wave

To disrespect a dead person so is amazingly unkind”

 

“I am staggered by the sins you display today

Pray stop your shameless acts I pray”

 

“Did you fight this war for land or for faith?

Did these people the Holy Shrine betray?

Did they refuse to offer prayers or denied God?”

Hearing these words Zaynab cried out in pain

 

“My Brother’s faith was unblemished this evil king knows well

He was beheaded as He prayed, the murderers will tell”

 

The foreigner grew more agitated at these words

“Say something” he said, toward Yazeed he turned

“What do I say to the king of Rome when he asks?”

“Tell me about these people, their identity I must learn”

 

“Stop your questions, your nonsense” the evil king said

“You may tell Rome’s king that Yazeed killed Husayn”

 

“Which Husayn do you speak of?” the foreigner asked

To whose Grandfather the Quran was revealed alas?

Whose father has done favors for one and all?

The son of Fatimah?” Thus the foreigner sobbed

 

“The one who was dearest to the Prophet, that Husayn?

With a baby deer whom God lovingly entertained?”

 

The evil king nodded “It’s the same Husayn” he said

Beating at his chest the foreigner cried out in pain

“Oh cursed Yazeed, what have you done?” he cried

“You have robbed the Prophet, beheaded Husayn”

 

“Oh people of Shaam shame on you all this day

You follow the Prophet, yet his family you slay”

 

“Arrest this insolent man” Yazeed roared

“He will darken my name in Rome if I let him to go”

“Your evil deeds are enough to darken your name” the man cried

“God will humiliate your name, He will do so”

 

“Where will you seek reprieve after what you have done?

Where will you hide from Fatimah after you’ve killed Her son?”

 

Saying this, the man ran to where Husayn’s head lay

He bowed in respect and recited his pledge

And a palace guard grabbed him, sword in hand

And killed the man as Abid watched in distress

 

Not a soul said a word at the brutality displayed

The crowd quietly watched as the man was slain

 

X----------X----------X

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