Ghazal 196

Those who, with a glance, make dust into gold —

might it be that they cast a corner of their eye toward us?

My pain, hidden, is better than the pretending physicians —

perhaps from the treasury of the unseen they will give me a cure.

Since the beloved does not pull the veil from her face,

why does everyone imagine a story?

Since a good end depends not on revelry or piety,

it is best to leave one's affairs to divine grace.

Do not be without awareness, for in the auction-house of love

the people of vision deal only with the familiar.

Right now behind the curtain much mischief is afoot —

until the curtain falls, what things they will do.

If a stone were to cry out from this tale, do not marvel —

the people of heart tell the heart's story beautifully.

Drink wine — for a hundred sins committed in secret by strangers

are better than a worship performed in show and pretense.

The shirt from which the scent of Joseph reaches me —

I fear his jealous brothers will tear it to shreds.

Pass through the tavern lane, so the assembled ones of presence

may spend their hours in prayer for you.

Hidden from the envious, invite me to yourself — for the generous

do hidden good for the sake of God's pleasure.

Hafez, lasting union is not easily achieved —

kings pay little heed to the beggar's state.