Ghazal 444

It is a city full of graceful ones, and from every direction a beauty —

friends! The call of love is here — if you will do something.

The eye of the sky has not seen a more wondrous youth —

into no one's hand has fallen a lovelier beauty.

Has anyone ever seen a body composed of pure soul?

May no dust from these earthly ones touch her hem.

Why do you drive away such a broken one as me from your presence? —

the utmost of my expectation is a kiss or an embrace.

The wine is unadulterated — seize it; the time is sweet — make haste —

next year, who has hope of another spring?

In the garden, the companions, like tulip and rose,

each have taken a cup in memory of the face of a beloved.

How shall I open this knot? How shall I reveal this secret? —

a pain, and a hard pain — a task, and a difficult task.

Every strand of Hafez's hair is in the hand of a playful tress —

it is hard to sit still in such a land.