Poem #131
English Translation
Persian
Come, for the Turk of Heaven has plundered the fast's tray
the Eid crescent signals the cup to begin its play.
بیا که تُرکِ فلک خوانِ روزه غارت کرد
هلالِ عید به دورِ قدح اشارت کرد
The reward of the fast and the Hajj accepted, he has won
who to the dust of Love's tavern a pilgrimage has done.
ثوابِ روزه و حجِ قبول آن کس بُرد
که خاکِ میکدهٔ عشق را زیارت کرد
Our primal home is the tavern's quiet nook
may God bless the builder who this shelter undertook.
مُقامِ اصلیِ ما گوشهٔ خرابات است
خداش خیر دهاد آن که این عمارت کرد
What is the price of ruby wine? The jewel of the mind
Come, for he profited well who this trade designed.
بهایِ بادهٔ چون لعل چیست؟
جوهرِ عقل بیا که سود کسی بُرد، کاین تجارت کرد
Prayer in the arch of those eyebrows, like a niche, is made
by one who with heart's blood his ablution paid.
نماز در خَمِ آن ابروانِ محرابی کسی کُنَد
که به خونِ جگر طهارت کرد
Alas, the Sheikh's narcissus eye, so prone to judge
looked down on the dregs-drinkers with a scornful grudge.
فغان که نرگس جَمّاشِ شیخِ شهر امروز
نظر به دُردکشان از سرِ حقارت کرد
Gaze upon the Beloved's face, and hold your vision dear
for the wise look with insight, making the hidden clear.
به رویِ یار نظر کن ز دیده مِنّت دار
که کاردیده، نظر از سرِ بِصارت کرد
Hear the tale of love from Hafez, not the preacher's art
though he spins fine phrases, he knows not the heart.
حدیثِ عشق ز حافظ شنو نه از واعظ
اگر چه صنعتِ بسیار در عبارت کرد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains statements about religious practice and love. The verse about the reward of fasting and pilgrimage going to one who 'visited the dust of the wine-house of love' is a striking statement about love's primacy. The observation that prayer should be done 'in the curve of those prayer-niche eyebrows' with 'the blood of the liver' for purification is a powerful fusion of religious and romantic imagery. The verse about the sheikh's 'gathering narcissus' looking at 'bitter-drinkers' 'from the head of abasement' is a poignant image. The poem's combination of religious and mystical themes makes it very engaging.
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