Ghazal 393

I am the one who is famed in the city for practicing love —

I am the one whose eye has not been stained by seeing evil.

We will be faithful and bear blame and be happy —

for in our way, it is heresy to be offended.

I said to the elder of the tavern: What is the way of salvation? —

he called for a cup of wine and said: Concealing faults.

What is the heart's desire from viewing the garden of the world? —

with the hand of the eye's pupil, to pick a rose from your face.

I struck my design upon the water by wine-worship —

that I might destroy the design of self-worship.

I trust in the mercy of the tip of your tresses — otherwise,

when there is no attraction from that side, what use is striving?

We will turn the reins toward the tavern from this assembly —

for it is obligatory not to listen to the preaching of those without practice.

From the beloved's down, learn love for the fair face —

for it is sweet to circle around the cheek of beauties.

Kiss nothing but the cupbearer's lip and the cup of wine, Hafez —

for it is wrong to kiss the hand of those who sell piety.