O heart, thy friend's exceeding bounty should free thee from unfounded
dread;
This instant, as of love thou vauntest, be ready to devote thy head!
I gained from thee my frantic yearning for mountains and the barren
plain,
Yet loath art thou to yield to pity, and loosen at mid-height my chain.
If the ant casts reproach on Ásaf, with justice does her tongue upbraid,
For when his Highness lost Jem's signet, no effort for the quest he
made.[25]
No constancy—yet grieve not, Háfiz—
Expect thou from the faithless fair;
What right have we to blame the garden,
Because the plant has withered there?
XXII
Veiled in my heart my fervent love for him dwells,
And my true eye holds forth a glass to his spells.
Though the two worlds ne'er bowed my head when elate,
Favors as his have bent my neck with their weight.
Thine be the lote, but I Love's stature would reach.
High like his zeal ascends the fancy of each.
Yet who am I that sacred temple to tread?
Still let the East that portal guard in my stead!
Spots on my robe—shall they arouse my complaint?
Nay! the world knows that he at least has no taint.