Ghazal 177

Not everyone who lights up a face knows the art of charm —

not everyone who polishes a mirror knows the way of Alexander.

Not everyone who tilted a cap and sat in pride

knows the art of sovereignty and the code of lordship.

Do not serve like beggars, on condition of reward,

for the friend knows the way of nurturing a servant.

I am the slave of that comfort-burning rend

who in the guise of a beggar knows the art of alchemy.

Fidelity and keeping promises would be fine if you'd learn them —

otherwise, everyone you see knows the art of tyranny.

I gambled my mad heart and did not know

that a child of Adam could know the ways of a fairy.

A thousand points subtler than a hair are here —

not everyone who shaves his head knows the way of the qalandar.

The center of my point of vision comes from your mole,

for only a jeweler knows the worth of a peerless gem.

Whoever became the king of beauties in stature and face

would conquer the world, if he knew the art of justice.

Only one who knows the grace of temperament and the speech of Dari

will be aware of the heart-moving verse of Hafez.