Wonderful Women of History: ZEB-UN-NISSA, 15 February 1638 – 26 May 1702, princess, poet, and prisoner of her father (possibly due to a scandalous love affair, her indulgence in music and poetry, or her support of a rebellious brother).

Oh Makhfi, it is the path of love and alone you must go. No one suits your friendship even if God be though.

                                                                                     -Makhfi (Zeb-un-Nissa)

Father might boom and bluster, but Zeb-un-Nissa will not budge; and not, as some may think, due to ignorance. She knows all too well what happens to those who defy Aurangazeb: she has seen the severed heads, the sad faces herself. But just as well she knows who she is, and what she is, and that will not change. No more will she reprimand herself for it, no matter if she need beg even for her bread.

May others blush for her sins! Zeb-un-Nissa wil do so no longer.

O useless eyes. Never the lost Beloved for all these years  Have ye beheld : better that ye were blind Than dimmed thus by my unavailing tears.

O foolish springs.  That bring not the Beloved to my abode ; Yea, all the friends of youth have gone from me. Each has set out on his appointed road.

O fading rose. Dying unseen as hidden thou wert born ; So my heart's blossom fallen in the dust Was ne'er ordained His turban to adorn.