After Hafiz
Rhyme and Reason
The Nightingale in verdant bowers
My soul with song of Love inspires;
The Roses bloom with vernal showers;
My Heart with Passion Flora fires,
Then let you liquid ruby flow,
Taza ba taza, naw ba naw
What gladness whispering Love can bring!
What bliss can Beauty’s charms unfold!
Then seek at once the bowers of spring,
And think no more of sordid Gold.
In sparkling Goblet drown thy woe,
Taza ba taza, naw ba naw
What Casuists preach and Zealots pray
Ah! none but Fools and Clowns admire.
When Roses bloom, the Bulbuls lay
Is all that can the soul inspire.
Thy ears to whispering Love bestow,
Taza ba taza, naw ba naw
I love and I must die for Love;
This passion I can ne’er forgo.
My fate’s decreed by One above.
It cannot change. Let Mentors know
The One above is friend, not foe,
Taza ba taza, naw ba naw
The lays of Hafiz are so sweet,
But those of Imdad sweeter still.
Then Minstrel sings his notes and greets
My ears with all thy songster’s skill.
In cadence sweet let music flow,
Taza ba taza, naw ba naw