Classic Poem

O Lord, in the street of the winehouse What clamour at day there was!
What bustle of cresset and candle, Of skinker and may there was!

Love's tale, that is independent Of letter or sound, retold
To the wail of the pipe and the tabor, With din and affray, there was.

Discourse in that circle of frenzy, Beyond the debate of the schools
And the give-and-take prate of the college, Its yea and its nay, there was.

My heart for the cupbearer's glances Was grateful; but cause somedele
Of complaint for unfavouring Fortune In me, sooth to say, there was.

I reckoned and in that wanton Ensorcelling eye of hers,
Methought, of Samíri-like wizards A thousand at play there was

“A kiss of thy lip advance me,” Quoth I; and she, laughing, said,
“Nay, when was a time such traffic Betwixten us tway there was?”

A-gate is a favouring aspect For me from the stars; for, last night,
'Twixt the moon and the cheek of my fair one Conjunction of ray there was.

Alack, in her mouth, which containeth The med'cine of Hafiz's pain,
That, in season of bounty, such straitness Of crop, wellaway! there was!