Poem #136
English Translation
Persian
One cannot touch the ringlets of that tress so fair
nor trust your promise, fleeting as the morning air.
دست در حلقهٔ آن زلفِ دوتا نتوان کرد
تکیه بر عهدِ تو و بادِ صبا نتوان کرد
I'll strive my utmost in my quest for you
though Fate's decree one never can undo.
آن‌چه سعی است، من اندر طلبت بنمایم
این قَدَر هست که تغییرِ قضا نتوان کرد
With heart's blood, I grasped the Friend's skirt tight
I'll not let go for the enemy's spite.
دامنِ دوست به صد خونِ دل افتاد به دست
به فُسوسی که کُنَد خصم، رها نتوان کرد
Her cheek is not the moon, let truth be said
compare not the Friend to things without a head.
عارضش را به مَثَل ماهِ فلک نتوان گفت
نسبتِ دوست به هر بی سر و پا نتوان کرد
When my tall Cypress enters the dance's sway
the soul's robe is a cloak too poor to lay.
سرو بالایِ من آنگه که درآید به سَماع
چه محل جامهٔ جان را که قبا نتوان کرد
Only a pure eye can see the Beloved's face
a mirror clouded shows no trace of grace.
نظرِ پاک توانَد رخِ جانان دیدن
که در آیینه نظر جز به صفا نتوان کرد
Love's riddle is beyond our knowledge's scope
with erring thought, one cannot solve this hope.
مشکلِ عشق نه در حوصلهٔ دانشِ ماست
حلِّ این نکته بدین فکرِ خطا نتوان کرد
Jealousy kills me, for you are the world's desire
but one cannot set God's creatures all on fire.
غیرتم کُشت که محبوبِ جهانی، لیکن
روز و شب عربده با خلقِ خدا نتوان کرد
What can I say? Your nature is so fine
that even a whispered prayer might cross the line.
من چه گویم؟ که تو را نازکیِ طبعِ لطیف
تا به حَدّیست که آهسته دعا نتوان کرد
Hafez's heart finds its mihrab in your brow
to worship another, our faith does not allow.
بجز ابرویِ تو محرابِ دل حافظ نیست
طاعتِ غیر تو در مذهبِ ما نتوان کرد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about love and devotion. The opening verse about not being able to put 'hand in the ring of that doubled tress' or rely on 'your covenant' is a striking statement about love's uncertainty. The observation that 'the difficulty of love, not in the capacity of our knowledge is' is a profound statement about love's transcendence. The verse about the beloved's eyebrow being 'the prayer-niche of Hafez's heart' is a beautiful fusion of religious and romantic imagery. The poem's combination of philosophical depth and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
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