Ghazal 351

God forbid that I abandon wine in the season of the rose —

I boast of reason; when would I do such a thing?

Where is the minstrel? — so that all the earnings of piety and learning

I may spend on the work of harp and lute and the sound of the flute.

I have grown weary of the chatter of the schoolroom —

for a while let me serve the beloved and wine.

When was there ever fidelity in the world? Bring the cup of wine —

that I may tell the tale of Jam and Kavus the king.

I do not fear the black book of sins — for on Judgment Day

with the bounty of His grace I will fold up a hundred such books.

Where is the courier of dawn? — that I may tell my complaints of the night of separation

to that auspicious, fortunate star.

This borrowed life that the friend entrusted to Hafez —

one day I will see her face and return it to her.