Love

Ode LXXXVII

by Hafiz c. 1315–1390

Translated by Herman Bicknell (in Persian Literature, 1909) · From Persian Literature (1909), trans. Bicknell

Love

When beamed Thy beauty on creation's morn,
The world was set on fire by love new-born.

Thy cheek shone bright, yet angels' hearts were cold:
Then flashed it fire, and turned to Adam's mould.

The lamp of Reason from this flame had burned,
But lightning jealousy the world o'erturned.

The enemy Thy secret sought to gain;
A hand unseen repelled the beast profane.

The die of Fate may render others glad:
My own heart saddens, for its lot is sad.

Thy chin's deep pit allures the lofty mind:
The hand would grasp thy locks in twines entwined,

Háfiz his love-scroll
To Thyself addressed,
When he had cancelled
What his heart loved best.

MLA

Hafiz. “Ode LXXXVII.” Translated by Herman Bicknell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hafiz/70/.

Chicago

Hafiz. “Ode LXXXVII.” Translated by Herman Bicknell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hafiz/70/.

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