Ghazal 283

At dawn the unseen voice brought glad tidings to my ear:

it is the era of Shah Shuja — drink wine boldly.

Gone is the time when people of vision walked aside,

a thousand kinds of words in the mouth, and the lip silent.

To the sound of the harp we will tell those tales

from whose concealment the cauldron of the breast was boiling.

The homemade wine we drank in fear of the morality-guard —

we will drink it now before the friend's face, with cries of cheers.

From the tavern lane last night they carried on their shoulders

the imam of the city, who used to carry the prayer-rug on his shoulder.

O heart! Let me guide you to the way of salvation:

do not boast of sin, and do not sell piety either.

The radiant mind of the king is the place of the light of revelation —

if you seek his nearness, strive in the purity of intention.

Make nothing the litany of your mind except praise of his glory —

for the ear of his heart is privy to the angel's message.

The secrets of the kingdom's welfare — kings know them —

you are a corner-sitting beggar, Hafez — do not shout.