Ghazal 5

My heart slips from my hand — O masters of the heart, for God’s sake!

Alas, the hidden secret is about to be revealed.

We are the shipwrecked — O favorable wind, arise!

Perhaps once more I may behold the face of the familiar one.

The sky’s ten-day affection is but fable and enchantment —

do kindness to your friends and count this chance a blessing, O companion.

In the circle of wine and roses, the nightingale sang sweetly last night:

Bring the morning cup! Arise, O you who are drunk!

O you of noble grace, in thanksgiving for your well-being,

one day spare a glance for the destitute dervish.

The peace of both worlds is the meaning of these two words:

with friends, generosity; with enemies, forbearance.

In the lane of good repute they gave us no passage —

if you do not approve, then go and change fate’s decree.

That bitter draught the Sufi calls the mother of vices —

to us it is sweeter and more desired than a maiden’s kiss.

In times of poverty, strive for joy and drunkenness,

for this alchemy of being makes a beggar into Qarun.

Do not be willful, for like a candle she will burn you out of jealousy —

that beloved in whose palm even flintstone becomes wax.

The mirror of Alexander is the cup of wine — behold!

So it may show you the state of Darius’s realm.

The Persian-speaking beauties are givers of life —

cupbearer, bring glad tidings to the pious rends!

Hafez did not put on this wine-stained cloak by choice —

O pure-skirted sheikh, hold us excused.