Ghazal 419

Union with her is better than eternal life —

O Lord, give me that which is better.

She struck me with a sword and I told no one —

for the friend's secret is better hidden from the enemy.

To die with the brand of servitude at this door —

by her life, it is better than the kingdom of the world.

For God's sake, ask my physician:

when at last will this feeble one get better?

The rose that was trampled by our cypress —

its dust is better than the blood of the Judas-tree.

Do not invite me to paradise, O ascetic —

for this chin-apple is better than that garden.

O heart! Always be the beggar of her lane —

by the decree that eternal fortune is better.

O youth! Do not turn your head from the counsel of elders —

for the judgment of the elder is better than the fortune of the young.

One night she said: No one's eye has seen

anything in the world better than the pearl of my ear.

Though the Living River is the Water of Life,

our Shiraz is better than Isfahan.

A word in the mouth of the friend is sugar —

but the speech of Hafez is better than that.