Ghazal 175

The breeze came to congratulate the old wine-seller —

for the season of joy and pleasure and grace and sweetness has come.

The air became Christ-breathed, the wind musk-opening —

the trees turned green, and the birds burst into song.

The spring wind lit the tulip's furnace so brightly

that the bud was drenched in sweat, and the rose came to a boil.

Listen with the ear of wisdom, and strive for pleasure —

for this word came to my ear from the unseen voice at dawn.

Come back from the thought of separation, so you may become whole —

by the principle that when the demon departs, the angel comes.

I do not know what the free lily heard from the bird of dawn —

that with ten tongues it has come to silence.

What place has the stranger at an intimate gathering?

Cover the cup's head, for the cloak-wearer has come.

Hafez goes from the cloister to the tavern —

perhaps he has come to his senses from the drunkenness of hypocritical piety.