Ghazal 150

If the cupbearer pours wine into the cup like this,

it will cast all the mystics into perpetual drinking.

And if beneath the curve of those tresses she places the mole's seed,

many a bird of reason she will cast into the snare.

O how blessed the fortune of that drunkard who, at the rival's feet,

does not know whether to cast down his head or his turban.

The raw ascetic who denies wine and cup

will ripen when he casts a glance at the raw wine.

By day, strive for virtue — for drinking wine by day

casts the mirror-like heart into the rust of darkness.

The time for the wine of dawn's radiance is when night

draws the curtain of evening around the horizon's tent.

Beware — do not drink wine with the morals-officer of the city,

for he will drink your wine and cast a stone at your cup.

Hafez, lift your head from the corner of the sun's cap —

if fortune casts the lot in favor of that full moon.