Shahriar Zahedi

At dawn, when from the quiet-house in the Castle of Novelty

the candle in the east projects its rays all around

The heavens take the mirror from horizon's corner and in it

reflect the face of the universe of a thousand kind

In the nooks of Jamsheed's cabaret; the sky

Venus plays the organ; a tune joyous and slow

The harp clamors "What became of the disbeliever?"

The wine-cup laughingly asks "Where'd the prohibitor go?"

Behold the times and take the wine-cup of joy

for in any state this is the best of things

The earthly beauty's lock of hair is but woven deceit

The learned quarrel not over such strings

Hafez