Ghazal 433

O you who have cast a musky veil upon the moon —

you have shown kindness: you have cast a shadow upon the sun.

Let us see what the water and color of your cheek will do to us —

for now, you have cast a fine sorcerous design upon water.

You have won the ball of beauty from the beauties of Khallakh — rejoice —

seek the cup of Kaykhosrow, for you have overthrown Afrasiab.

Everyone played love with the candle of your face in some manner —

among them you cast the moth into agitation.

You placed the treasure of your love in our ruined heart —

you cast the shadow of fortune upon this ruined corner.

Beware of the water of that cheek — for with it you made lions

thirsty-lipped, and cast the champions into the water.

You bound the sleep of the wakeful — and then, from the image of fancy,

you cast an accusation on the night-travelers of the troop of sleep.

You cast the veil from your face, one glance in the display —

and from modesty, cast the houris and fairies behind the veil.

Drink wine from the world-showing cup — for on the throne of Jam

you have cast the veil from the face of the desired beauty.

From the deceit of your slumberous narcissus and your wine-worshipping ruby,

you have cast Hafez the recluse into wine.

And for the hunt of hearts, around my neck you cast the chain of tresses

like the lasso of the sovereign lord of necks.

O judge of Dara-splendor, you whose crown of the sun

from the height of reverence you have cast upon the dust of the threshold.

Nasir al-Din King Yahya — you who cast the enemy of the kingdom

from the edge of your sword, like fire into water.