Poem #122
English Translation
Persian
Whoever keeps faith with God's people true
God keeps them safe from calamity through and through.
هر آن‌که جانِبِ اَهْلِ خُدا نگه دارد
خُداش در همه حال از بَلا نگه دارد
I speak the Friend's tale only in her sacred space
the intimate keeps intimate speech in its proper place.
حَدیثِ دوست نگویم مَگَر به حَضْرَتِ دوست
که آشنا، سُخَنِ آشنا نگه دارد
O heart! So live that if your foot should slip and slide
your angel holds you safe with prayers on either side.
دلا، مَعاش چُنان کُن که گر بِلَغْزَد پای
فرشته‌ات به دو دستِ دُعا نگه دارد
If you wish the Beloved keeps her covenant intact
hold tight the thread's end—she'll hold her sacred pact.
گَرَت هَواست که مَعشوق نَگْسَلد پِیمان
نگاه دار سرِ رشته تا نگه دارد
O Breeze! If you find my heart upon her tress's crown
graciously ask her to keep my place, don't let me down.
صَبا بر آن سَرِ زُلْف اَر دِلِ مرا بینی
ز رویِ لُطْف بگویش که جا نگه دارد
When I begged 'Keep my heart!' she answered with a sigh
'What can servants do? It's God who keeps hearts in His eye.'
چو گفتمش که دلم را نگاه دار، چه گفت؟
ز دَسْتِ بَنده چه خیزد؟ خُدا نگه دارد
My head, wealth, heart, and soul—all sacrificed for one
who honors love and keeps fidelity when day is done.
سَر و زَر و دل و جانم، فَدایِ آن یاری
که حَقِّ صُحْبَتِ مِهْر و وَفا نگه دارد
Where is the dust from your passing feet, I pray
that Hafez keeps as keepsake of the dawn's sweet Breeze each day?
غُبارِ راهگذارت کجاست تا «حافِظ»
به یادگارِ نَسیمِ صَبا نگه دارد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains spiritual advice and statements about devotion. The opening verse about God keeping those who 'keep the side of the people of God' from calamity is a statement of faith. The observation that the familiar keeps 'the speech of the familiar' is a statement about intimacy. The verse about the beloved saying 'from the hand of the servant, what arises? God keeps' is a profound statement about divine protection. The poem's combination of spiritual guidance and personal expression makes it engaging.
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