THE MORNING POEM
Who Has Bid Thee Ask No More...Hafez
Beloved, who has bid thee ask no more
How fares my life ? to play the enemy
And ask not where he dwells that was thy friend ?
Thou art the breath of mercy passing o*er
The whole wide world, and the offender I ;
Ah, let the rift my tears have channelled end,
Question the past no more !
If thou would ‘st know the secret of Love’s fire.
It shall be manifest unto thine eyes :
Question the torch flame burning steadfastly,
But ask no more the sweet wind’s wayward choir.
Ask me of faith and love that never dies ;
Darius, Alexander’s sovereignty,
I sing of these no more.
Ask not the monk to give thee Truth’s pure gold.
He hides no riches ’neath his lying guise ;
And ask not him to teach thee alchemy
Whose treasure-house is bare, his hearth-stone cold.
Ask to what goal the wandering dervish hies,
They knew not his desire who counselled thee ;
Question his rags no more !
And in their learned books thou ’lt seek in vain
The key to Love’s locked gateway ; Heart grown wise
In pain and sorrow, ask no remedy !
But when the time of roses comes again,
Take what it gives, ere it flies,
And ask not why the hour has brought it thee,
And wherefore ask no more !
Hafez