Ghazal 309

Love-play and youth and ruby-colored wine —

an intimate assembly, a kindred companion, and continual drinking.

A sugar-lipped cupbearer and a sweet-spoken minstrel —

a companion of good deeds and a friend of good name.

A beauty so pure and delicate, the envy of the Water of Life —

a charmer in grace and loveliness, the rival of the full moon.

A gathering-place heart-settling as the palace of highest paradise —

a rose-garden around it like the garden of the Abode of Peace.

Well-wishing attendants and courteous servants —

friends who are keepers of secrets and companions who seek the friend's desire.

Rose-colored wine, bitter, sharp, pleasant-drinking, light —

its sweetmeat the ruby lip of the beauty, its dessert the raw ruby.

The cupbearer's glance has drawn the sword for the plunder of reason —

the beloved's tresses have spread a trap for the hunt of hearts.

A wit and jester like sweet-spoken Hafez —

a bounty-teacher, world-illumining, like Haji Qavam.

Whoever does not want this pleasure — happiness is lost on him;

and whoever does not seek this assembly — life is forbidden to him.