Ghazal 335

If my path leads again to the tavern of the Magians,

I will freely give away the earnings of cloak and prayer-rug.

If today I knock the ring of repentance like the pious,

tomorrow the tavern's keeper will not open the door for me.

And if, like a moth, the freedom of wing is given to me,

my flight will be only toward that candle-like face.

I do not desire the company of houris, for it would be a defect itself

if, while your image is with me, I occupy myself with another.

The secret of my passion for you would have stayed hidden in my breast,

if my wet-hemmed eye had not revealed my secret.

Like a bird, from this cage of dust I took to the air —

in the hope that perhaps the royal falcon will catch me.

Like the harp, if you do not grant me my heart's desire at your side,

from your own lip, like the flute, soothe me with one breath.

The story of my blood-become heart I will not tell anyone —

for besides the sword of your grief, no one is my intimate.

If on every hair, a head were upon Hafez's body,

like your tresses, I would cast them all at your feet.