Ghazal 404

Cast a better glance than this upon the ranks of the rends —

at the tavern door, make a better passage than this.

This kindness that your lip shows me —

is very fine, but a degree better than this would be.

That one whose thought unties the knot of the world's work —

tell him: Show a better insight than this in this work.

My advisor said: What art does love have but grief? —

go, O wise sir — is there a better art than this?

My heart — what shall I do if I do not give it to that precious stream? —

the mother of time has no better son than this.

When I say: Drink the cup and kiss the cupbearer's lip —

hear from me — no one else will say it better than this.

The pen of Hafez is a sweet fruit — a sugar-plant — pick it —

for in this garden you will not see a better fruit than this.