Ghazal 293

At dawn, when from the private chamber of the palace of creation

the candle of the east casts its rays upon all sides,

The sky draws a mirror from the pocket of the horizon, and in it

shows the face of the world in a thousand forms.

In the corners of the pleasure-house of Jamshid of the sky,

Venus tunes her instrument to the melody of the mystic dance.

The harp raises a clamor: Where is the denier?

The cup bursts into laughter: Where is the one who forbids?

Look at the ways of the world — take up the goblet of pleasure,

for in any state, this is the best of postures.

The tress of the bride of the world is all snare and deceit —

the wise do not seek dispute over this thread.

Seek the life of the king if you want the world's benefit —

for he is a being of generous, bountiful giving.

The manifestation of eternal grace, the light of the eye of hope,

the uniter of knowledge and action, the soul of the world — Shah Shuja.