(8)
Written in Kabul

Muslims are born with a gift to charm, to persuade; Brave men—they are endowed with a noble courtesy.

Slaves of custom are all the schools of old; They teach the eaglet to grovel in the dust.

These victims of the past have seen the dawn of hope, When I revealed to them the eagle’s ways.

The man of God knows but two words of faith; The scholar has tomes of knowledge old and new.

About wine and women I know not how to write; Ask not a stone-breaker to work on glass.

O Iqbal! From where did you learn to be such a dervish:1 Even among the kings there is talk about your contentment!