Abdul Haie Sahir Ludhianvi

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Brothels :
These lanes, these marts of rich delights,
Precious lives, undone, defiled;
Where are the defenders of virtuous pride?
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?

These sinuous streets, these doors ajar,
The clinking coins, the moving masks,
Deals of honour, hagglings fast,
Where are they who praise, the pious eastern ways?

These dimly-lighted, stinking streets,
These yellowing buds, crushed and creased,
These hollow charms, for sale and lease;
Where are they who praise the pious eastern ways?

The jingling trinklets at casement bright,
Tambourins athrob 'mind gasping life;
Cheerless rooms with cough alive;
Where are they who praise the pious eastern ways?