An omen from Hafez
Ghazal 10
Last night, from the mosque toward the tavern, our Elder came;
what now, companions of the Way, is our plan hereafter?
How shall we disciples set our face to the qibla, when
our very Elder turns his face toward the wine-house?
In the tavern of the Way let us lodge together,
for so it was written, in the pact of eternity, as our lot.
If reason knew how sweet the heart is, bound in her tress,
the wise would run mad in pursuit of our chain.
Your fair face unveiled to us a verse of grace;
since then our whole commentary is grace and beauty.
Will it ever, some night, take hold of your stony heart —
our fiery sigh and the night-long burning of our breast?
The arrow of our sigh outsoars the very heavens — Hafez, be still;
have mercy on your own soul, beware our arrow.