Poem #142

Poem #142

Wine

English Translation

Persian

Friends, the Daughter of the Vine repented of her veil

she went to the Censor, and made her work prevail.

دوستان دخترِ رَز توبه ز مستوری کرد

شد سویِ محتسب و کار به دستوری کرد

She came from the curtain, wipe the sweat from her brow

lest companions ask, 'Why did you leave us now?'

آمد از پرده به مجلس عَرَقَش پاک کنید

تا نگویند حریفان که چرا دوری کرد

Rejoice, O heart! Love's minstrel strikes the chord again

playing the drunken path, curing the hangover's pain.

مژدگانی بده ای دل که دگر مطربِ عشق

راهِ مستانه زد و چارهٔ مخموری کرد

Not seven seas can wash, nor hundred fires erase

the stain the grape-wine left on the ascetic's base.

نه به هفت آب، که رنگش به صد آتش نرود

آن چه با خرقهٔ زاهد، مِی انگوری کرد

The bud of Union's branch blossomed in the breeze

the sweet-singing bird found joy in the rose's leaves.

غنچهٔ گُلبُنِ وصلم ز نسیمش بِشِکُفت

مرغ خوشخوان طرب از برگِ گلِ سوری کرد

Hafez, keep humility, for the envious foe

cast honor, wealth, and faith to the winds of show.

حافظ افتادگی از دست مده زان که حسود

عِرض و مال و دل و دین در سرِ مغروری کرد

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Cultural Context

US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains statements about wine and religious hypocrisy. The verse about the 'daughter of the rose' going to the censor is a striking image. The observation that wine's color 'with a hundred fires, will not go' is a powerful statement. The verse about the envious putting 'honor and wealth and heart and religion' 'in the head of the proud' is a poignant critique. The poem's combination of social commentary and imagery makes it engaging.