umr-bhar ḳhvāb-e-mohabbat se na bedār hue
isī kirdār se ham sāhab-e-kirdār hue

kabhī kāñToñ kī jarāhat se bhī ārām milā
lāla-o-gul bhī kabhī bā.is-e-āzār hue

ādamiyat ke ḳhad-o-ḳhāl ko zīnat na milī
saare aa.iin faqat naqsh-ba-dīvār hue

haa.e vo husn kisī ne bhī na dekhā jis ko
haa.e vo raaz jo rusvā sar-e-bāzār hue

kitne dushman the zamāne meñ hamāre lekin
apnī hī hastī se ham barsar-e-paikār hue

dosto ek tumhārī bhī riyā-kārī se
ham ko honā thā ḳhabar-dār ḳhabar-dār hue

nauha-e-zāt kā ye bhī to ik andāz huā
ashk āñkhoñ meñ nahīñ aa.e to ash.ār hue

baat kuchh yuuñ hai ki himmat hī na haarī ham ne
mere pindār-e-ḳhudī par to bahut vaar hue

rañg-o-bū paañv kī zanjīr hue jaate haiñ
jā nasīm-e-saharī ham to giraftār hue

ham ki sar-garm-e-safar the rahe sar-garm-e-safar
marhale to kabhī āsāñ kabhī dushvār hue

ab to nā-qadrī-e-arbāb-e-hunar hai ai 'lais'
aap kyā soch ke is ahd meñ fankār hue

umr-bhar KHwab-e-mohabbat se na bedar hue
isi kirdar se hum sahab-e-kirdar hue

kabhi kanTon ki jarahat se bhi aaram mila
lala-o-gul bhi kabhi bais-e-azar hue

aadamiyat ke KHad-o-KHal ko zinat na mili
sare aain faqat naqsh-ba-diwar hue

hae wo husn kisi ne bhi na dekha jis ko
hae wo raaz jo ruswa sar-e-bazar hue

kitne dushman the zamane mein hamare lekin
apni hi hasti se hum barsar-e-paikar hue

dosto ek tumhaari bhi riya-kari se
hum ko hona tha KHabar-dar KHabar-dar hue

nauha-e-zat ka ye bhi to ek andaz hua
ashk aankhon mein nahin aae to ashaar hue

baat kuchh yun hai ki himmat hi na haari hum ne
mere pindar-e-KHudi par to bahut war hue

rang-o-bu panw ki zanjir hue jate hain
ja nasim-e-sahari hum to giraftar hue

hum ki sar-garm-e-safar the rahe sar-garm-e-safar
marhale to kabhi aasan kabhi dushwar hue

ab to na-qadri-e-arbab-e-hunar hai ai 'lais'
aap kya soch ke is ahd mein fankar hue