Hafiz Shirazi

When shall I get to kiss thee?_ I asked.__y all means you can forever ask,_ she answered.__our lips ask a heavy price,_ I said.__t__ a fair exchange of one so fair,_ she said.__hat lips are worthy for your mouth and lips?_ I asked.__nly the discerning can this secret know,_ she answered.__on__ worship idols, be with the Truth,_ I said.__n the Way of Love, both are allowed,_ she said.I said, __he tavern helps to heal the heart.___lessed are those who heal the lonely heart,_ she answered.__t__ not religion, the priestly robe, the wine,_ I said.__ut to the gnostic both lead to the Divine,_ she answered.__hat use to an old man of youthful lips?_ I asked.__y such sweet kissing, he grows young!_ she answered.__hen shall the bridegroom embrace the bride?___hen the stars are that way inclined.__ said, __he prayer of Hafiz is for His glory.___his is the prayer of angels too, in heaven,_ she answered.

_The love of his youthAppeared as in a dreamAnd this ageing loverWent mad with love.The youth robbed him ofReason and his chastity.In pursuit of his Beloved, mad, deranged,He was from kith and kin estranged.The fire of the rose__ cheekBurnt the nightingale__ heart;The laughing flameTormented the devoted moth_