An omen from Hafez
Ghazal 228
If I pluck one fruit from your garden, what harm in that?
If I find my footing by your lamp, what harm in that?
O Lord, in the shelter of that tall cypress's shade,
if I, the scorched one, sit a single breath, what harm in that?
At last, O ring of Jamshid of auspicious signs,
if your reflection fall upon my seal's design, what harm in that?
Since the city's preacher chose the love of king and constable,
if I should choose the love of a beauty, what harm in that?
My reason fled the house; and if this be the way of wine,
I foresaw already what would come of my house of faith.
My precious life was lavished on the Beloved and on wine;
let us see what befalls me of the one, what becomes of me of the other.
The master knew that I was a lover, and said nothing;
if Hafez too should learn I am such, what harm in that?