Ghazal 206

Before this, you thought more of lovers —

your affection for us was famous across the horizons.

May those nights of companionship be remembered — when, with sweet-lipped ones,

we discussed the secret of love and spoke of the circle of lovers.

Before they raised this green roof and azure arch,

the arch of the beloved's brow was the view for my eye.

From the dawn of eternity to the last evening of forever,

friendship and love stood on one covenant and one bond.

If the beloved's shadow fell upon the lover, what of it?

We needed her — she longed for us.

Though the beauty of the moon-faced ones in the gathering stole hearts and faith,

our discussion was of grace of temperament and goodness of character.

At the king's door, a beggar made a pointed remark —

he said: At every table where I sat, God was the Provider.

If my rosary's thread broke, excuse me —

my hand was upon the skirt of the silver-legged cupbearer.

On the Night of Power, if I drank a dawn cup, do not blame me —

the beloved came in high spirits, and a cup was at the edge of the niche.

The verse of Hafez, in the time of Adam in the Garden of Eden,

was the ornament of the pages of the book of eglantine and rose.