Ghazal 15

O sacred beauty, who will draw back your veil?

O bird of paradise, who will give you seed and water?

Sleep has fled my eyes in this heart-burning thought:

whose embrace has become the resting-place of your sleep?

You do not ask after the dervish — I fear there is

no thought of mercy in you, no care for reward.

That drowsy eye of yours has ambushed the lovers’ path —

it is plain from this manner that your wine is drunk.

The arrow you shot at my heart from your glance went astray —

let us see what your sound judgment will devise next.

Every cry and lament I raised, you did not hear —

it is clear, O idol, that your station is high.

The water’s source is far from this desert — beware,

lest the desert’s phantom deceive you with a mirage.

By what creed will you travel the road of old age, O heart?

Alas, the days of youth were spent in error.

O heart-illuming palace, dwelling-place of intimacy —

O Lord, may the calamity of time never bring you to ruin.

Hafez is not a servant who would flee from his master —

make peace and return, for I am destroyed by your reproach.