Ghazal 178

Whoever became intimate with the heart remained in the beloved's sanctuary —

and the one who did not know this work remained in denial.

If my heart came out from behind the veil, do not blame it —

thank God it did not remain behind the veil of delusion.

The Sufis redeemed all their belongings from the pawn of wine —

it was our cloak alone that remained in the wine-seller's house.

The morals-officer became a sheikh and forgot his own transgressions —

it is our story that remained on everyone's lips in the bazaar.

Every ruby wine I took from that crystal hand

became the water of regret, and remained in my jewel-shedding eye.

Except my heart, which from eternity to eternity traveled as a lover,

I never heard of anyone who remained forever in this work.

The narcissus fell ill trying to become like your eye —

it could not achieve your manner, and remained sick.

Sweeter than the echo of love's speech I have not seen —

a memento that shall remain in this revolving dome.

I had a cloak that covered a hundred of my faults —

the cloak was pawned for wine and minstrel, and only the infidel's belt remained.

Before your beauty, the portrait-painter of China was so bewildered

that the tale of it remained everywhere in doors and walls.

The heart of Hafez went one day to the gallery of her tresses —

it went to return, yet remained captive forever.