XVI

I said: "O Monarch of the lovely, a stranger seeks thy grace this day."

I heard: "The heart's deceitful guidance inclines the stranger from his way."

Exclaimed I then: "One moment tarry!" "Nay," was the answer, "let me go; How can the home-bred child be troubled by stories of a stranger's woe?"

Shall one who, gently nurtured, slumbers with royal ermine for a bed, "Care if on rocks or thorns reposing the stranger rests his weary head?"

O thou whose locks hold fast on fetters so many a soul known long ago, How strange that musky mole and charming upon thy cheek of vermil glow!

Strange is that ant-like down's appearance circling the oval of thy face; Yet musky shade is not a stranger within the Hall which paintings grace.[18]

A crimson tint, from wine reflected gleams in that face of moonlight sheen; E'en as the bloom of syrtis, strangely, o'er cl.u.s.ters of the pale Nasrin.[19]

I said: "O thou, whose lock so night-black is evening in the stranger's sight, Be heedful if, at break of morning, the stranger sorrow for his plight."

"Hafiz," the answer was, "familiars Stand in amaze at my renown; It is no marvel if a stranger In weariness and grief sit down."

XVII

'Tis morn; the clouds a ceiling make: The morn-cup, mates, the morn-cup take!

Drops of dew streak the tulip's cheek; The wine-bowl, friends, the wine-bowl seek

The greensward breathes a gale divine; Drink, therefore, always limpid wine.

The Flower her emerald throne displays: Bring wine that has the ruby's blaze

Again is closed the vintner's store, "Open, Thou Opener of the door!"[20]

While smiles on us the season's boon, I marvel that they close so soon.

Thy lips have salt-rights, 'tis confessed, O'er wounds upon the fire-burnt breast.

Hafiz, let not Thy courage fail!

Fortune, thy charmer Shall unveil.

XIX

Lo! from thy love's enchanting bowers Rizvan's bright gardens fresher grow;[21]

From the fierce heat thine absence kindles, Gehenna's flames intenser glow.

To thy tall form and cheek resplendent, as to a place of refuge, fleet Heaven and the Tuba-tree, and find there--"Happiness--and a fair retreat."[22]

When nightly the celestial river glides through the garden of the skies, As my own eye, it sees in slumber, nought but thy drunk narcissus eyes.

Each section of the spring-tide's volume makes a fresh comment on thy name, Each portal of the Empyrean murmurs the t.i.tle of thy fame.

My heart has burned, but to ambition, the aim, still wished for, is denied: These tears that tinged with blood are flowing, if I could reach it, would be dried.

What ample power thy salt-rights give thee (which both thy mouth and lips can claim), Over a breast by sorrow wounded, and a heart burnt within its flame!

Oh! think not that the amorous only are drunk with rapture at thy sway: Hast thou not heard of zealots, also, as reckless and as wrecked as they?

By thy lips' reign I hold it proven that the bright ruby's sheen is won By the resplendent light that flashes out of a world-illuming sun.[23]

Fling back thy veil! how long, oh tell me! shall drapery thy beauty pale?

This drapery, no profit bringing, can only for thy shame avail.

A fire within the rose's bosom was kindled when she saw thy face; And soon as she inhaled thy fragrance, she grew all rose-dew from disgrace.

The love thy countenance awakens whelms Hafiz in misfortune's sea; Death threatens him! ho there! give help, ere yet that he has ceased to be!

While life is thine, consent not, Hafiz, That it should speed ign.o.bly by; But strive thou to attain the object Of thy existence ere thou die.

XX

I swear--my master's soul bear witness, faith of old times, and promise leal!-- At early morning, my companion, is prayer for thy unceasing weal.

My tears, a more o'erwhelming deluge than was the flood which Noah braved, Have washed not from my bosom's tablet the image which thy love has graved.

Come deal with me, and strike thy bargain: I have a broken heart to sell, Which in its ailing state out-values a hundred thousand which are well.

Be lenient, if thou deem me drunken: on the primeval day divine Love, who possessed my soul as master, bent my whole nature unto wine.

Strive after truth that for thy solace the Sun may in thy spirit rise; For the false dawn of earlier morning grows dark of face because it lies.[24]

O heart, thy friend's exceeding bounty should free thee from unfounded dread; This instant, as of love thou vauntest, be ready to devote thy head!

I gained from thee my frantic yearning for mountains and the barren plain, Yet loath art thou to yield to pity, and loosen at mid-height my chain.

If the ant casts reproach on asaf, with justice does her tongue upbraid, For when his Highness lost Jem's signet, no effort for the quest he made.[25]

No constancy--yet grieve not, Hafiz-- Expect thou from the faithless fair; What right have we to blame the garden, Because the plant has withered there?

XXII

Veiled in my heart my fervent love for him dwells, And my true eye holds forth a gla.s.s to his spells.