Poem #121
English Translation
Persian
Whoever keeps a focused heart and holds a dear friend near
finds Happiness as companion and Fortune sitting here.
هر آن کاو خاطِرِ مَجموع و یارِ نازنین دارد
سَعادَت، همدم او گشت و دولت، هم‌نشین دارد
Love's sanctuary stands far higher than Reason's reign
only those who carry soul in sleeve may kiss that sacred plane.
حَریمِ عشق را دَرْگَه، بسی بالاتر از عَقْل است
کسی آن آسْتان بوسد، که جان در آستین دارد
Is her sweet narrow mouth Solomon's realm of old?
Her ruby seal-ring holds the world beneath its signet's hold.
دهانِ تَنْگِ شیرینش، مگر مُلْکِ سلیمان است
که نَقْشِ خاتَمِ لَعْلَش، جهان، زیرِ نگین دارد؟
Ruby lips and musky down—she has both, blessed be!
I praise my heart-stealer whose beauty holds such symmetry.
لَبِ لَعْل و خَطِ مُشکین، چو آنش هست و اینش هست
بنازم دِلْبَرِ خود را، که حُسْنَش، آن و این دارد
O generous one! Don't scorn the weak and frail you see
the banquet's seat of honor holds a roadside beggar's plea.
به خواری مَنْگَر ای مُنْعِم، ضَعیفان و نَحیفان را
که صَدْرِ مَجْلِسِ عِشْرَت، گدایِ ره‌نشین دارد
While you walk the earth, count every able moment gain
Time buries countless powerless souls beneath its domain.
چو بر رویِ زَمین باشی، توانایی، غَنیمت دان
که دوران، ناتوانی‌ها، بسی زیرِ زَمین دارد
The prayers of suppliants turn calamity away from soul and frame
what good harvest comes to those who scorn the gleaner's name?
بَلاگردانِ جان و تن، دعایِ مُسْتْمَنْدان است
که بیند خِیْر از آن خَرْمَن که نَنْگ از خوشه‌چین دارد؟
O Breeze! Tell that sovereign beauty of my love's refrain
a hundred Jamshids and Khosrows serve as slaves in her domain.
صَبا از عِشقِ من، رَمزی بگو با آن شَهِ خوبان
که صد جَمشید و کِیخُسرو، غُلامِ کم‌ترین دارد
If she rejects poor Hafez, the bankrupt lover's plea
tell her that kingdoms too seat beggars in their company.
وگر گوید نمی‌خواهم، چو «حافِظ»، عاشِقِ مُفْلِس
بگوییدش که سلطانی، گدایی هم‌نشین دارد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about love and fortune. The verse about the 'sanctuary of love' being 'much higher than intellect' is a striking statement about love's transcendence. The observation that 'when on the face of the earth you are, ability, a gain know' is a profound statement about seizing the moment. The verse about 'a hundred Jamshids and Kay Khosrows' being 'a slave' to the beloved is a powerful image. The final verse's statement that 'a kingdom, a beggar, companion has' is a profound observation about the nature of power. The poem's combination of philosophical insight and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
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