Love
Ode LXXXVIII
Translated by Herman Bicknell (in Persian Literature, 1909) · From Persian Literature (1909), trans. Bicknell
The preacher of the town will find my language hard, maybe:
While bent upon deceit and fraud, no Mussulman is he.
Learn drinking and do gracious deeds; the merit is not great
If a mere brute shall taste not wine, and reach not man's estate.
Efficient is the Name Divine; be of good cheer, O heart!
The dív becomes not Solomon by guile and cunning's art.
The benisons of Heaven are won by purity alone:
Else would not pearl and coral spring from every clod and stone?
Cite this poem
MLA
Hafiz. “Ode LXXXVIII.” Translated by Herman Bicknell. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/hafiz/71/.
Chicago
Hafiz. “Ode LXXXVIII.” Translated by Herman Bicknell. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/hafiz/71/.
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