An omen from Hafez
Ghazal 328
Who am I, that I should cross that fragrant, tender thought of yours?
You show such grace — O dust of your threshold, be the crown upon my head!
Beloved, tell me — who has taught you this cherishing of your slave?
For never once did I harbour such a hope of your jealous watchers.
Set my resolve as escort on the road, O bird of holiness,
for long the way to my desire, and I am new upon the road.
O dawn-breeze, carry there the tribute of my servitude, and say:
forget me not in the hour of your prayers at break of day.
Blessed that day when I take up my burden from this stage,
and friends inquire of me at the head of your street.
Hafez, it may well be that, seeking the pearl of union with her,
I make my eye a sea of tears and plunge and dive within it.
The rank of my verse is lofty and world-conquering; command,
that the king fill my mouth with pearls, as the sea fills the shell.