Ghazal 167

A star shone forth and became the moon of the gathering —

it became the companion and comfort of our fleeing heart.

My beauty, who never went to school or wrote a line,

by a glance became the teacher of a hundred professors.

By her scent, the sick hearts of lovers, like the breeze,

became a sacrifice to her eglantine cheek and narcissus eye.

Now the friend seats me at the head of the tavern bench —

see this city beggar who has become the master of the gathering.

The fancy of Khizr's water and Alexander's cup

became, through sipping at the table of Sultan Abu al-Fawares.

The pleasure-house of love will now be built,

for the arch of my beloved's brow has become its architect.

Wipe the wine's moisture from your lip, for God's sake,

for my mind has become tempted by a thousand sins.

Your wink poured such a wine for the lovers

that knowledge fell unconscious and reason became senseless.

My verse is precious as gold — yes,

the favor of the fortunate became the alchemy of this copper.

Turn your reins from the tavern road, O friends,

for Hafez went by this road and became penniless.