Darkling I listen : and for many a time
I have been half in love with easeful Death
Called him soft names in many a mused rhyme,
To take into the air my quiet breath;
Now more than ever seems it rich to die,
To cease upon the midnight with no pain.
John Keats
This was quoted by Khushwant Singh, noted journalist, author and editor in his weekly column in the Hindustan Times.
From my college days, I have always admired his candour and the cascading flow of his language, right from when he was the editor of the Illustrated Weekly of India and his editorials were a never miss, With Malice Towards One and All!
His works range from political commentary and contemporary satire to outstanding translations of Sikh religious texts and Urdu poetry. Born on 2nd Feb 1915, educated in the Government College Lahore in undivided India and King's College Cambridge, he turns 98 very soon and I would like to wish him the best in his twilight years ...