Classic Poem

Come, for Hope's fortress-base Unstable as the sea is;
Bring wine, for rooted but Upon the wind life's tree is.

Slave of his spright am I, Who, 'neath yon dome of azure,
From whatsoe'er the taint Hath of dependence free is.

How tell thee what glad news I' the winehouse, from the angel
Of the Unseen, last night, Come unto drunken me is?

Saying, " O falcon royal, High-looking, Sidreh-sitting,
" This corner full of woes No resting-place for thee is! "

" From heaven's battlements They warble to thee, saying,
" I know not how thy lot Fallen in this snare to be is! "

This rede I give thee: look Thou practise it. (I mind me
From whom I hearkened it: Sheikh of the Pathway he is.)

" From yonder hair-brained hag, The world, good faith and honour
" Seek not, for lo! the bride Of thousand bridegooms she is. "

Eat not the world's chagrin And this my rede forget not;
For from a wayfarer This love-saw come to me is.

" Submit to fate and smoothe The wrinkles from thy forehead;
" The door of freewill shut, Indeed, to such as we is. "

No sign of constancy Found in the rose's smile is:
Wail, bulbul-lover, wail! For cause for wail, perdie, is.

Why envy Hafiz, thou Of feeble verse? Acceptance
Of nature and sweet speech The gift of God's decree is.