Un presagio da Hafez
Ghazal 298
A place of safety, wine unmixed, a tender companion —
should these ever fall to your lot, oh, what rare good fortune!
The world and the world's affairs are all but nothing on nothing;
a thousand times over I have proven this truth.
Alas and woe, that until this hour I never knew
that the elixir of bliss is a friend — a friend!
Withdraw to a refuge, and count the moment as precious spoil,
for in the ambush of life lie the highwaymen of the road.
Come — for to repent of the idol's ruby lip and the cup's bright laugh
is a tale that reason will never ratify.
Though your waist's fine thread reaches not to one like me,
my heart is glad from the thought of that delicate fancy.
The sweetness that lies in the well of your chin —
a hundred thousand deep musings can never sound its depth.
If my tears took on the hue of the carnelian, what wonder,
when the seal of your ruby lip is itself like carnelian?
Laughing, she said: 'Hafez, I am the slave of your genius' —
see to what lengths she plays me for a fool!