Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ODE: 11 by HAFEZ

First Line: I HAVE BORNE THE ANGUISH OF LOVE, WHICH ASK ME NOT TO DESCRIBE
Last Line: WHICH, ALAS! ASK ME NOT TO EXPLAIN.

I HAVE borne the anguish of love, which ask me not to describe:
I have tasted the poison of absence, which ask me not to relate.

Far through the world have I roved, and at length I have chosen
A sweet creature (a ravisher of hearts), whose name ask me not to disclose.

The flowing of my tears bedews her foosteps
In such a manner as ask me not to utter.

On yesternight from her own mouth with my own ears I heard
Such words as pray ask me not to repeat.

Why dost thou bite thy lip at me? What dost thou not hint (@3that I may have
told?@1)
I have devoured a lip like a ruby: but whose, ask me not to mention.

Absent from thee, and the sole tenant of my cottage,
I have endured such tortures, as ask me not to enumerate.

Thus am I, HAFIZ, arrived at extremity in the ways of Love.
Which, alas! ask me not to explain.



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