An omen from Hafez
Ghazal 230
If my heart draws me to musky wine, it may well be so,
for from hypocrite's abstinence breathes no scent of good.
Though all the world's people forbid me from love,
I will do only what the Lord commands.
Cut not off hope of the grace of His bounty, for the Generous One
forgives the sin and shows the lovers His mercy.
My heart abides in the circle of remembrance, in the hope
that one coil of the Friend's tress may loosen for it.
You, who possess God-given beauty and fortune's bridal chamber —
what need have you that any tire-woman should adorn you?
The meadow is fair, the air enticing, the wine unmixed;
now nothing is wanting save a heart at ease.
A lovely one is the bride of the world — yet be on guard,
for this veiled bride comes into no man's wedlock.
Pleading, I said to her: O moon-faced one, what were it, if
by one sweet kiss some heart-wounded soul found rest from you?
Laughing, she said: for God's sake, Hafez, wish it not,
that your kiss should sully the countenance of the moon.