Literal Translation: The wealth of the world is not worth oppression, Nor is the pleasure of intoxication worth its pain. Not seven thousand years of joy in the world Are worth this seven-day tribulation of sorrow. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: The world's riches, gained through cruelty, Are not worth the …

Literal Translation: First, he gave me the wine of union, When I was drunk, he gave me the cup of cruelty. With eyes full of water and a heart full of fire, I became the dust of his path, and the wind carried me away. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: He …

Literal Translation: The story of that weeping candle cannot be told, Nor can the state of this heart, burned and sore. The sorrow in my narrow heart is from this, That there is no friend with whom to share my heart's sorrow. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: The tale of that …

Literal Translation: Tonight, I will sleep amidst blood because of your grief, And I will leave the bed of comfort. If you don't believe me, send your imagination, So it can see how I will sleep without you. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Tonight, in anguish, I'll be drenched in pain, …

Literal Translation: The moon whose radiance eclipsed the sun's light, Around her mole, the spring of Kauthar took hold. She cast all hearts into the well of her dimples, And then sealed the well's mouth with amber. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Her beauty dimmed the sun's celestial fire, A mole …

Literal Translation: Every day, my heart is under a different burden. In my eyes, from separation, there is a different thorn. I strive, but fate says, "Beyond your capacity, there is a different task." Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Each day, a fresh weight bends my aching heart, Separation's thorn inflicts …

Literal Translation: You are a full moon, and the sun has become your servant. Since it has become your servant, it has become radiant. Because of the radiance of your face, The sun is bright and the moon is luminous. Poetic and Interpretive Translation: You are the moon, the sun …

Literal Translation: I put my hand around your waist, Thinking there was something within. It became clear from the waist when it was tied, What part of the waist should I hold onto? Poetic and Interpretive Translation: I clasped your waist, believing something lay within, A treasure hidden from the …

Literal Translation: A moon faced whose stature rivals the cypress, straight and tall, Mirror in hand, she adorned her own face. I offered her a turban, and she said, "To seek union with me, what a fantasy you have!" Poetic and Interpretive Translation: A moon faced, as straight as cypress, …

Literal Translation: I said, "Your lip," it said, "My lip is the water of life." I said, "Your mouth," it said, "Oh, what a sweet candy." I said, "Your speech," it said, "Hafez said," "Blessings on all the witty speakers." Poetic and Interpretive Translation: "Your lips," I said, "are life's …

More Literal Translation: Take up the joy-inducing wine and come, Hidden from the lowly rival, fight and come. Don't listen to the enemy's words to sit and not go, Hear this point from me: arise and come. More Poetic and Interpretive Translation: Pour out the wine that fills the heart …

Literal translation: Except for your image in our mind, nothing appeared to us. Except for your street, no path appeared to us. Though sleep was pleasant for everyone during your time, Truly, it didn't come into our eyes. A more poetic and interpretive translation: Your image, love, alone adorned our …