Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, GHAZAL, by HAFEZ


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

GHAZAL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If that beauty of shiraz would take my heart in hand, I would
Last Line: Hath shed upon thy poetry the harmony of the pleiades.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hafiz, Kwaja Shams Al-din Muhammad; Hafiz Of Shiraz; Hafez, Mohammad Shams Od-din
Subject(s): Longing; Youth


IF THAT beauty of Shiraz would take my heart in hand, I
would give for her dark mole Samarkand and Bokhara.
Boy, bring me the wine that remaineth; for in Paradise
thou wilt not see the banks of the water of Roknabad, nor
the rose bower of our Mosella.
Alas! those saucy lovely ones, those charming disturbers of
our city, bear away patience from my heart as
Turkomans their repast of plunder!
Yet the beauty of our maidens is independent of our
imperfect love!
To a lovely face what need is there of paint
of dyes, of mole or down?
Speak to me of the musician and of wine, and search less into
the secrets of futurity; for no one in his wisdom
ever hath discovered, or ever will discover, that
mystery.
I can understand how the beauty of Joseph, which added new
lustre to the day, withdrew Zulaikha from the veil
of her modesty.
Thou hast spoken evil of me, and I am contended -- God
forgive thee!
Thou has spoken well; for even a bitter word is beseeming,
when it cometh from a ruby sugar-dropping lip.
Give ear, O my soul, to good counsel; for better than their
own souls love youths of a happy disposition the
admonition of aged wise.
Thou has composed thy ghazal; thou hast strung thy pearls:
come and sing it sweetly, O Hafiz! for Heaven
hath shed upon thy poetry the harmony of the Pleiades.






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