35

Thus spake at dawn to the fresh-open’d rose

The courting-bird, ‘Cease thy so empty vaunt:

Comelier than thou full many each day unclose.’

She laughed:—‘In truth I care not, ne’ertheless

Strange lover thou, to use such harsh address:

No gallant vexeth beauty with such taunt.

Or ever thou receive this ruby red,

This wine, first must thy pearl’d disdainfulness

In passion’s suppliant sea its jewels shed.’

O vain it were love’s chanting voice to chide!

Though may no tongue those burning thoughts expound,

The ardent fire of love no heart can hide.

In his all-whelming tears hath Hafez drowned

Wisdom & patience, yet no peace hath found.