غزل شمارهٔ 285

In the age of the king, fault-forgiving, crime-covering, Flagon-drinker, became Hafiz ; and cup-drinker, the mufti.

Forth from the cloister-corner, the Sufi sate (drinking) at the wine-jar's foot, Since he beheld the muhtasib a wine-pitcher on his shoulder bear.

The state of the shaikh, and of the kazi and of their jew (secret)-drinking, I asked, in the morning, of the Pir, the wine-seller.

He said : " Unfit to be uttered is the matter though thou art a confidant : " (From slander) thy tongue indraw ; the screen (of high and of low), preserve ; and wine (of love), drink.

Saki ! spring arriveth ; and means of wine (-drinking) is none ; (On getting means), a thought make. For, from grief (of want of means of wine-drinking), into tumult hath come my heart's blood.

Love and poverty, and youth, and the new spring, (all this) is My excuse. It, accept ; and, in mercy's trail, the crime conceal.

Like the (burning) candle, tongue extending (in clamour) how long makest thou ? O friend ! the moth of thy desire hath arrived. Silence !

O King, in form and in truth ! like thee, No eye hath seen ; no ear hath heard.

Remain, until the khirk a of hypocrisy, accepteth Thy youthful fortune from the old, tattered garment-wearing sky.