Ghazal 455

Life has passed in fruitlessness and idle fancy —

O youth, give me the cup of wine, that you may reach old age.

What sugars there are in this city — for the royal hawks of the Way

have become content with the station of a fly.

Last night, going among the retinue of her gate-slaves,

she said: O helpless lover — what manner of person are you, after all?

With a blood-stained heart, like the musk-pod, one must be content —

whoever became famous in the world for a musky breath.

The lightning of Mount Sinai flashed, and I sensed it —

perhaps I will come to you with a flaming brand.

The caravan has gone and you are asleep, with the desert ahead —

alas, how unaware of the clamor of so many bells.

Spread your wings and whistle from the Tree of Paradise —

it is a pity for such a bird as you to be captive in a cage.

So that like the censer I may seize the beloved's hem for a breath,

we have placed our life on fire for the sake of a sweet-breath.

How long will Hafez run in every direction for your sake? —

may God ease the way to you, O you who are sought.