Ghazal 406

She said: You went out to gaze at the new moon —

from the moon of my brows, may shame fall upon your face.

It has been a lifetime that your heart is among the captives of our tresses —

do not become heedless of protecting the side of your friends.

Do not sell the perfume of reason to the Hindu of our tresses —

for there a thousand musky musk-pods go for half a grain.

The seed of fidelity and love in this old sowing-field —

it will be revealed when the harvest season comes.

Cupbearer, bring wine, that I may tell you a riddle

from the secret of the old-coursing stars and the new moon.

The shape of the crescent at each month's start gives a sign

of the crown of Siamak and the turban of Zav.

Hafez — the threshold of the Magian elder is the sanctuary of fidelity —

read the lesson of love's tale to him, and hear it from him.