When Time Unbegun thy beauty's sheen In manifestation set,
Love patent became and fire forthright To all creation set.

The angels thy cheek's resplendence saw And loved not; whence sheer flame
'T incontinent grew and fire to man, For mortification, set.

Reason its lamp at that flame would fain Have lit; but the levin-brand
Of jealousy flashed and all the world In conflagration set.

The Foe sought to win to the secret of Love; The hand of th' Invisible
There came and upon his breast the brand Of repudiation set.

All others the die of allotment did On pleasure and easance cast;
Our woe-stricken heart alone on grief The lot of vocation set.

The lofty soul in the pit of thy chin For longing fell; and so
To the ring of thy tress's curl its hand It for salvation set.

The book of delight of the love of thee Will Hafiz close, when he
To all heart-gladdening doth the pen Of nullification set.