Thomas Bailey Aldrich - To Hafiz

THOUGH gifts like thine the fates gave not to me, <br />One thing, O Hafiz, we both hold in fee— <br />Nay, it holds us; for when the June wind blows <br />We both are slaves and lovers to the rose. <br />In vain the pale Circassian lily shows <br />Her face at her green lattice, and in vain <br />The violet beckons, with unveilëd face— <br />The bosom’s white, the lip’s light purple stain, <br />These touch our liking, yet no passion stir. <br />But when the rose comes, Hafiz—in that place <br />Where she stands smiling, we kneel down to her!<br /><br />Thomas Bailey Aldrich<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-hafiz/