Hafiz of Shiraz Poems

Yester night, from temple to tavern, our Master went,
Brothers of the Way! 'What advice can be to us lent? '

How can we, the disciples, to the qibla make our way,
...

Up, cupbearer! Let us pay the wine's wage
Strew with dust the sorrow of our age

Give me the wine cup; that, joy-possessed,
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O! Your radiant face is reflected by the moon
The dimple in your chin is to loveliness a boon

Hankering for your sight, my spirit leaps to my throat
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O Sufi! Come and see how my cup mirrors light
Tempting you to glance at the ruby wine so bright

Of rapt revelers, question the secret beyond the veil
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O breeze! Softly, gently tell that charming gazelle:
'For you, straying in the mount and desert to us befell.

Wherefore the sugar sweet maiden - May she live long -
...

O Saki! Pass around and offer the cup, for
Love which seemed easy makes uneasy lore

Her locks emanated the scent of a musk skin
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I pine away. Sages, plead with God for my woe
Alas, my secret pain, the world is soon to know

Our bark has stranded; O gentle breeze, arise!
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Who to the sultan's men this request will convey
'As a king by God's leave, send not this beggar away? '

I seek refuge in God from my foe sinister,
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Should that charming Turk of Shiraz win my soul
Samarkand and Bukhara, I will barter for her mole

Saki! Serve the remnant wine; in Eden, you cannot gaze
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Again into gardens and orchards, the vernal glory arose;
The melodious bulbul received news of a coming rose

Breeze! If you blow again at the meads green of age,
...