At dawntide, intent on repentance, " For guidance, " quoth I, " I'll sue: "
But Spring, the repentance-breaker, There cometh, and what shall I do?

The truth if I needs must utter, I cannot endure that friends
And comrades should quaff the vinejuice And I from afar should view.

Nay, look ye on me as a madman And medicine ye my brain
If I, in the time of the tulip, The banquet of mirth eschew.

A loveling in Sultan-fashion I seat on the throne of the rose,
With bracelets of jacinth and jasmine Her neck and her wrists endue.

What time from the Friend's face bloometh The rose of desire for me,
With " Give to the stones their noddles! " My enemies I beshrew.

In sooth, I'm the tavern-beggar; But, when I am drunk, behold,
How over the stars I lord it And scoff at the heavens blue!

Nay, I, who am no abstainer From that which the Law forbids,
Why, why should I blame the toper And rail at the jovial crew?

Yea, laughing-lipped still, like the rosebud, To drink to the king's array,
The winecup I take and for longing My raiment I rend in two.

An if but a kiss vouchsafe me The ruby lip of the Friend,
I wax young again for joyance And live me my life anew.

Aweary of wine that's drunken In private is Hafiz grown;
With ghittern and pipe his secret I'll publish the world unto.