fareb-e-shauq mein aa kar sukun pa na saka
wo chot khai ki jis ko kabhi bhula na saka

ye silsila rahe qaem jafa ki umr daraaz
ki tere naz koi bul-hawas utha na saka

fareb-kar zamane mein hasraton ka charagh
bujhane wale bahut the koi jala na saka

phansa gai mujhe uljhan mein yun ada-e-sukut
ki apni tishnagi-e-shauq bhi bujha na saka

mujhe to is ka hai rona ki ro nahin sakta
shikayat is ki nahin hai ki muskura na saka

nuqush-e-hasti-e-fani bane mite lekin
lakiren apne muqaddar ki main mita na saka

'nawab' khush hai isi par ki ho gaya tera
ye gham nahin hai ki apna tujhe bana na saka