Poem #10
English Translation
Persian
Last night our Elder left the mosque and to the tavern went;
O friends of the Way, what now is our intent?
دوش از مسجد سویِ میخانه آمد پیرِ ما
چیست یارانِ طریقت بعد از این تدبیرِ ما؟
How can we turn to Mecca's shrine, or bow in prayerful state,
when our own Guide has turned his face toward the Vintner's gate?
ما مریدان روی سویِ قبله چون آریم؟
چون روی سویِ خانهٔ خَمّار دارد پیرِ ما
Within the Tavern of the Path, we'll lodge and take our rest,
for so it was written for us, in the Covenant of the blest.
در خراباتِ طریقت ما به هم منزل شویم
کاین‌چنین رفته است در عهدِ ازل تقدیرِ ما
If Reason knew how happy lies the heart in those dark curls,
the wise would all go mad for chains, and trade their gems for pearls.
عقل اگر داند که دل در بندِ زلفش چون خوش است
عاقلان دیوانه گردند از پیِ زنجیرِ ما
Your lovely face revealed to us a verse of grace divine;
since then, our commentary sees but grace in every line.
رویِ خوبت آیتی از لطف بر ما کشف کرد
زان زمان جز لطف و خوبی نیست در تفسیرِ ما
Will ever my burning sigh, or the fire within my breast,
touch your heart of stone one night, and give my spirit rest?
با دلِ سنگینت آیا هیچ درگیرد شبی
آهِ آتشناک و سوزِ سینهٔ شبگیرِ ما؟
The arrow of my sigh flies up, and pierces through the sky;
Hafez, be silent now! Beware! Lest by that arrow you die.
تیرِ آهِ ما ز گردون بگذرد حافظ خموش
رحم کن بر جانِ خود پرهیز کن از تیرِ ما
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This poem is a shocking statement of Sufi radicalism. The 'Elder' (spiritual guide) leaving the mosque for the tavern symbolizes abandoning outward religious form for inner spiritual intoxication. The disciples following him to the 'Vintner's house' instead of the Qibla (Mecca) reinforces this theme of spiritual orientation over ritual. It's a key text for understanding the 'Malamati' (blame-seeking) tendency in Sufism.