Ghazal 49

The garden of highest paradise is the dervishes’ retreat —

the source of all dignity is service to the dervishes.

The treasure of solitude, which holds wondrous talismans —

its opening lies in the merciful gaze of the dervishes.

The palace of paradise, where Rizvan serves as gatekeeper —

is but a view from the pleasure-garden of the dervishes.

That which turns the black counterfeit to gold by its light —

is an alchemy found only in the company of dervishes.

That before which the sun lays down its crown of pride —

is a grandeur that belongs to the glory of the dervishes.

A fortune that fears no blow of decline —

hear it plainly: that is the fortune of the dervishes.

Kings are the qibla of the world’s needs, yet

the reason for it is their servitude to the dervishes.

The face of the Goal that kings seek through prayer —

its manifestation is the mirror of the countenance of the dervishes.

From horizon to horizon, the army of tyranny spreads, yet

from eternity to eternity, the opportunity belongs to the dervishes.

O rich one, do not sell so much arrogance, for

your gold and your head are sheltered by the dervishes’ resolve.

The treasure of Qarun, which still sinks from divine wrath —

you must have read that it, too, is from the jealousy of the dervishes.

Hafez, if you seek the Water of Eternal Life,

its source is the dust at the door of the dervishes’ retreat.

I am the servant of the vision of the Asaf of our age,

who has the appearance of a master and the nature of a dervish.