Ghazal 381: Although we are the servants of the king

گرچه ما بندگان پادشهیم
پادشاهان ملک صبحگهیم

گنج در آستین و کیسه تهی
جام گیتی‌نما و خاک رهیم

هوشیار حضور و مست غرور
بحر توحید و غرقهٔ گنهیم

شاهد بخت چون کرشمه کند
ماش آیینه‌ رخ چو مهیم

شاه بیدار بخت را هر شب
ما نگهبان افسر و کلهیم

گو غنیمت شمار صحبت ما
که تو در خواب و ما به دیده گهیم

شاه منصور واقف است که ما
روی همت به هر کجا که نهیم

دشمنان را ز خون کفن سازیم
دوستان را قبای فتح دهیم

رنگ تزویر پیش ما نبود
شیر سرخیم و افعی سیهیم

وام حافظ بگو که بازدهند
کرده‌ای اعتراف و ما گوهیم

Although we are the servants of the king,
we are the kings of the kingdom of the dawn.

With treasure in our sleeve and an empty purse,
we are the cup that shows the world and the dust of the road.

Sober in the Presence and drunk with pride,
we are the sea of unity and drowned in sin.

When the beauty called fortune plays her games of glances,
we are the mirror for her moon-like face.

For the king of wakeful fortune, every night
we are the guardians of his crown and cap.

Tell him to count our company a prize,
for you are asleep, and we are at the watch.

Shah Mansur is aware that we,
wherever we turn the face of our resolve,

Make shrouds of blood for his enemies
and give the robe of victory to his friends.

The colour of deceit has no place with us;
we are the red lion and the black serpent.

Tell them to pay back what is owed to Hafez;
you have acknowledged it, and we are the witnesses.