Poem #119
English Translation
Persian
The heart that sees the unseen in the bowl
And holds Jamshid's cup within its soul. Why should it grieve for a ring that's lost? A trifle vanished at a moment's cost.
دلی که غیب نمای است و جامِ جم دارد
ز خاتمی که دمی گم شود، چه غم دارد؟
Don't give the heart's treasure to the base
To those who have no honor and no grace. Give it to one with royal dignity, Who knows the value of the soul's decree.
به خَطُّ و خالِ گدایان مده خزینهٔ دل
به دستِ شاهوَشی دِه که محترم دارد
Not every tree can stand the autumn's chill
And keep its leaves against the winter's will. I serve the cypress, strong and evergreen, That stays unchanged amidst the changing scene.
نه هر درخت تحمّل کند جفایِ خزان
غلامِ همتِ سروم که این قدم دارد
The time has come to pour the wine and play
Like drunk narcissus in the light of day. Let every man who has a coin to spend, Lay it before the cup, his truest friend.
رسید موسمِ آن کز طرب چو نرگسِ مست
نهد به پایِ قدح هر که شش درم دارد
Do not withhold your gold for wine's red fire
Spend it like roses on your heart's desire. For reason finds a hundred faults in thee, But wine will set your spirit wild and free.
زر از بهایِ می اکنون چو گل دریغ مدار
که عقلِ کل به صدت عیب متّهم دارد
No one knows the secrets of the sky
Or what the hidden future holds, or why. No intimate of the heart has found the way, Into the sanctuary of the unknown day.
ز سِرِّ غیب کس آگاه نیست، قصّه مخوان
کدام مَحرمِ دل ره در این حرم دارد؟
My heart, which boasted it was free and clear
Is now entangled in a love so dear. A hundred tasks the morning breeze has brought, From your dark tresses to my anxious thought.
دلم که لافِ تَجَرُّد زدی، کنون صد شغل
به بویِ زلفِ تو با بادِ صبحدم دارد
From whom shall I seek my heart's desire?
Where is the friend to quench this inner fire? No comforter appears to show the way, Or grant the favor that I seeking pray.
مرادِ دل ز که پرسم؟ که نیست دلداری
که جلوهٔ نظر و شیوهٔ کرم دارد
What profit comes from Hafez's tattered cloak?
A garment woven of mere words and smoke. We sought the Eternal, the Truth Divine, But he is captive to an idol's shrine.
ز جَیبِ خرقهٔ حافظ چه طَرف بِتوان بست
که ما صمد طلبیدیم و او صَنم دارد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound philosophical statements. The opening verse about the heart that 'the unseen-showing is' and has 'Jam's cup' not grieving over a lost ring is a striking statement about spiritual wealth. The observation that 'not every tree endures the injustice of autumn' is a profound statement about resilience. The verse about seeking 'the Eternal' but having 'an idol' is a self-aware statement about human nature. The poem's combination of mystical insight and personal reflection makes it very engaging.
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