Poem Seven by Hafez.

Translated by D. Davis.

Good news! the

days of grief and pain
won't stay like this -
As others went, these won't remain
or stay like this.

Though my beloved thinks of me
as dirt and dust,
My rival's status, and her trust,
won't stay like this.

And though the doorman wields his sword
against us all,
No rank remains immutable
or stays like this.

When good or bad come, why give thanks,
and why complain?
Since what is written won't remain
or stay like this.

They say when Jamshid reigned, 'Bring wine'
was his courts song,
'Since even Jamshid won't live long,
or stay like this.

And if you're wealthy help the poor,
since, be assured,
The gold and silver that you hoard
won't stay like this!

O candle, prize the moth's love now
and hold it fast -
When dawn arrives it cannot last
or stay like this.

In words of gold they've written on
the emerald sky,
'Only compassion does not die
but stays like this.'

Do not despair of love, Hafez;
it can't be true
The heartlessness she's shown to you
will stay like this.