Poem #139
English Translation
Persian
I laid my face on her path, but she passed not by
a hundred hopes I had, but she cast not an eye.
رو بر رَهَش نهادم و بر من گذر نکرد
صد لطف چشم داشتم و یک نظر نکرد
My flood of tears washed not the malice from her heart
on granite stone, the rain drop plays no part.
سیلِ سرشک ما ز دلش کین به در نَبُرد
در سنگِ خاره قطرهٔ باران اثر نکرد
O God, protect that youth so bold and free
who feared not the sighs of one secluded like me.
یا رب تو آن جوانِ دلاور نگاه‌دار
کز تیرِ آهِ گوشه‌نشینان حذر نکرد
Fish and fowl slept not last night for my cry
yet see that playful one, who opened not an eye.
ماهی و مرغْ دوش ز افغانِ من نَخُفت
وان شوخْ‌دیده بین که سر از خواب برنکرد
I wished to die like a candle at her feet
but she passed not like the breeze, fleeting and sweet.
می‌خواستم که میرَمَش اندر قدم چو شمع
او خود گذر به ما چو نسیمِ سحر نکرد
O Soul, who is so hard and lacking in grace
that made not his soul a shield for your sword to embrace?
جانا کدام سنگدلِ بی‌کفایت است
کاو پیشِ زخمِ تیغِ تو جان را سپر نکرد؟
Hafez's pen, though silent, kept the secret tight
until his head rolled, he brought nothing to light.
کِلکِ زبان‌بریدهٔ حافظ در انجمن
با کس نگفت رازِ تو تا تَرکِ سر نکرد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses longing and frustration. The opening verse about having 'a hundred graces of the eye' but the beloved doing 'one glance did not do' is a poignant statement. The observation that 'the flood of our tears' had no effect 'in the hard stone' is a striking image. The verse about the fish and bird not sleeping from Hafez's lamentation while the beloved 'did not raise head from sleep' is a powerful contrast. The poem's combination of emotional intensity and vivid imagery makes it engaging.
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