An omen from Hafez
Ghazal 284
An unseen voice, from the tavern's corner, last night
said: 'They will pardon the sin—so drink your wine.'
The grace of God will accomplish its own work;
the angel will bring the glad tidings of mercy.
Bear this raw, unripened reason to the tavern,
that the ruby wine may bring its blood to the boil.
Though they grant not her union in return for striving,
O heart, strive on as much as ever you can.
God's grace is greater than the sum of our offence;
what do you know of the sealed mystery? Be still.
My ear and the ringlet of the Beloved's tress;
my face and the dust of the wine-seller's door.
The rends' way of Hafez is no grievous sin,
under the bounty of a fault-concealing king.
The judge of the faith, Shah Shuja, who made
the Holy Spirit set his command's ring in its ear.
O King of the Throne, grant him his heart's desire,
and keep him ever from the peril of the evil eye.