Poem #154
English Translation
Persian
Strike a path where sighs can play their melody
recite a verse with which you can strike wine heavily.
راهی بزن که آهی بر سازِ آن توان زد
شعری بخوان که با او رَطلِ گران توان زد
If you can lay your head on the Beloved's door
you can strike the sky with pride forevermore.
بر آستانِ جانان گر سر توان نهادن
گلبانگِ سربلندی بر آسمان توان زد
Our bent stature may seem easy prey to the foe
but from this bow you can strike an arrow at their eye below.
قَدِّ خمیدهٔ ما سهلت نماید اما
بر چشمِ دشمنان تیر، از این کمان توان زد
The monastery cannot hold Love's secret play
you can strike the Magian cup with Magi another way.
در خانقه نگنجد اسرارِ عشقبازی
جامِ میِ مُغانه هم با مُغان توان زد
The dervish owns no deed to Sultan's grand estate
we have an old cloak in which you can strike fire's fate.
درویش را نباشد برگِ سرایِ سلطان
ماییم و کهنه دلقی کآتش در آن توان زد
People of vision lose both worlds in a single glance
Love is the game—you can strike the soul's first advance.
اهلِ نظر دو عالم در یک نظر ببازند
عشق است و داوِ اول بر نقدِ جان توان زد
If Union's fortune would open a door for you and me
with this dream, you can strike heads upon the threshold free.
گر دولتِ وصالت خواهد دری گشودن
سرها بدین تَخَیُّل بر آستان توان زد
Love, youth, and revelry—desire's full array
when meanings gather, you can strike expression's ball in play.
عشق و شباب و رندی مجموعهٔ مراد است
چون جمع شد معانی گویِ بیان توان زد
Your tress became the highwayman of safety's road
no wonder—if You're the thief, you can strike a hundred caravans' load.
شد رهزنِ سلامت زلفِ تو وین عجب نیست
گر راهزن تو باشی صد کاروان توان زد
Hafez, by the Quran's truth, from madness turn away
perhaps you can strike pleasure's ball in this world's play.
حافظ به حَقِّ قرآن کز شِید و زرق بازآی
باشد که گویِ عیشی در این جهان توان زد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound advice about love and life. The verse about 'the secrets of love-play' not fitting 'in the monastery' is a striking statement. The observation that 'the people of view' may lose 'two worlds in one view' for love is a profound statement. The verse about the beloved's tress being 'the way-robber of safety' is a powerful image. The poem's combination of practical advice and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
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