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

​

​

When Hur left the camp of the Noble Prince

And came to battle His enemies thence

A murmur rippled through Yazid’s camp

“Here comes a friend of Hyder’s clan”

 

“A strange light lights up his path

As though angels in his company he hath”

 

Hearing this, the son of Saad cried

“Rain arrows and spears with a measured tide”

The army geared for a massive attack

And the lone soldier held his spear by his side

 

Seeing Hur tremble with rage and might

The soldiers scurried like rats in the night

 

Abbas applauded Hur’s battle skills

And Akber admired, standing still

Qasim cried often “Bravo dear Hur”

And the Noble Prince himself would smile

 

Listening to the applause from his Master’s camp

Hur would smile and bow at every chance

 

Alas as he bowed, the army slacked

And attacked the soldier from behind his back

And thousands surrounded the lonely Hur

As he turned the reigns, an arrow pierced

 

Close by his heart and he felt a spear

And he sensed that Death was very near

 

The arrows poured at his lurching chest

He doubled over seeking some rest

Watching Hur’s state, Akber cried

“May I go my Master to save our guest”

 

“The devoted servant of Zahra and Ali

Now falls to the ground without a plea”

 

The Noble Prince seeing Hur’s plight

Wept with sorrow at the sight

And replied to Akber “Not you my son”

“I will be the one to go by his side”

 

“To whom can I express the sorrow I bear?

He is my guest and I must take his care”

 

Saying this Shabbeer then mounted his horse

In a glimpse the battlefield He crossed

There Hur fell on the scorching sand

And the Prince found him breathing his last

 

He held His guest and wept in pain

And watched Hur rub his heels in the sand

He wiped Hur’s brow and held him close

And watched in misery as the blood flowed

And cried “Your wounds have broken my back”

“Yet another friend I’ve lost in my woes”

 

“You fell to the ground but didn’t call for help

Come open your eyes my brother, my friend”

 

Hur opened his bruised and bloodied eyes

Saw the glorious face of the Prince in sight

Saw his head cradled in the Prince’s lap

And smiled at his fortune and in delight

 

The Prince then asked “What do you see?”

Hur replied “The heavens have opened to me”

 

“I see angels descend from the skies for me

Even in Death’s face, a love I can see

Here comes Hyder O my good fortune!

I see Shabbar with him, boundless is my glee!”

 

“I see Mohammad’s daughter bare-headed in grief

And Mohammed himself comes to me receive”

 

Then Hur’s face contorted in pain

He looked at Husayn and whispered His name

And the Prince cried “So you depart my friend?”

Hur’s soul departed and his body went limp

 

 

Even in death his glance toward Husayn

A smile on his lips, forgotten the pain.

 

 

 

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

​