Poem #127
English Translation
Persian
Your countenance outshines the moon's pale glow
before you, the rose has no splendor to show.
روشنیِ طلعتِ تو ماه ندارد
پیشِ تو گُل، رونقِ گیاه ندارد
Your eyebrow's arc—my soul's sweet dwelling place
no king possesses such a sweeter space.
گوشهٔ ابرویِ توست منزلِ جانم
خوشتر از این گوشه، پادْشاه ندارد
What can my heart's smoke do to your face so bright
mirrors can't endure a sigh's lamenting might.
تا چه کُنَد با رخِ تو دودِ دلِ من
آینه دانی که تابِ آه ندارد
See the narcissus bloom before you, bold and free
its torn eye holds no courteous modesty.
شوخیِ نرگس نگر که پیشِ تو بشکفت
چشمْ دریده، ادب نگاه ندارد
I saw that heart-burning eye you possess
it glances not toward any friend's caress.
دیدم و آن چشمِ دلْ‌سیه که تو داری
جانبِ هیچ آشنا نگاه ندارد
Give me a heavy cup, O tavern disciple true
joy of a sheikh who needs no monastery's view.
رَطلِ گرانم ده ای مریدِ خرابات
شادیِ شیخی که خانقاه ندارد
Drink blood and sit in silence—bear your pain
that tender heart can't stand the just's refrain.
خون خور و خامُش نشین که آن دلِ نازک
طاقتِ فریاد دادخواه ندارد
Go! Wash your sleeves in liver-blood, I say
who finds no path to reach this threshold's way.
گو برو و آستین به خونِ جگر شوی
هر که در این آستانه راه ندارد
Not I alone bear your dark tress's tyranny
who hasn't felt the brand of that black mark's agony?
نی منِ تنها کشم تَطاولِ زلفت
کیست که او داغِ آن سیاه ندارد؟
If Hafez prostrates before you, find no blame
Love's infidel, O Idol, bears no sin or shame.
حافظ اگر سجدهٔ تو کرد مکن عیب
کافرِ عشق ای صنم گناه ندارد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses devotion to the beloved. The verse about the beloved's countenance having brightness that 'the moon has not' is a striking statement. The observation that 'the corner of your eyebrow' is 'sweeter than this corner, a king has not' is a beautiful image. The verse about the narcissus being 'eye-torn' and having 'no courtesy of glance' is a striking image. The final verse's statement that 'the unbeliever of love' has 'no sin' is a profound statement about love's acceptance. The poem's combination of vivid imagery and philosophical depth makes it engaging.
Related Poems
"O Cupbearer, circulate the cup and pass it, for love seemed easy at first but difficulties arose."
"If that Turk of Shiraz takes my heart in hand, **** I will give Samarkand and Bukhara for his Hindu mole."
"To the courtiers of the sultan, who will deliver this prayer? **** That in gratitude for kingship, do not drive the begg..."
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"