My heart is slipping from my grasp: Ghazal 5 by Hafez

My heart is slipping from my grasp: Ghazal 5 by Hafez

By @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

Description:

English Translation:

My heart is slipping from my grasp, O pious ones, for God's sake!
Alas, what secret can remain hidden forever?

We are shipwrecked sailors, O stormy wind, arise!
Perhaps I shall see the face of a familiar friend.

The ten-day love of fortune is but a tale and a spell,
Count yourself lucky for the kindness of friends, O beloved.

Last night the nightingale sang sweetly in the circle of flowers and beauty,
“Bring the wine, bring the wine,” it called to the drunkards.

O generous one, as thanks for your well-being,
Grant a visit to this poor dervish.

The comfort of both worlds is summed up in these two words:
Kindness to friends, tolerance to enemies.

They have not allowed us passage on the road to a good reputation,
If you disapprove, change the decree.

That bitter wine, which the Sufi called “the mother of all vices,”
Is more delicious to us than the kiss of a virgin.

In times of poverty, seek pleasure and intoxication,
For this is the alchemy that can turn a beggar into a Croesus.

Do not be rebellious, for like a candle, you will burn from your zeal,
The beloved, in whose hand is wax, can turn stone hard.

Look at the mirror of Alexander, the cup of wine,
So that it may show you the state of the world's ruler.

Persian-speaking beauties are givers of life,
O wine-server, give tidings of joy to the pious revelers.

Hafez has not put on this wine-stained robe of his own accord,
O pure-hearted sheikh, please excuse us.