Poem #156
English Translation
Persian
In beauty, character, and faith, none can match our Friend
you cannot deny this truth, it has no end.
به حسن و خُلق و وفا کس به یارِ ما نرسد
تو را در این سخن، انکارِ کارِ ما نرسد
Though beauty-sellers display their charms with pride
none match our Friend's beauty and grace beside.
اگر چه حُسن‌فروشان به جلوه آمده‌اند
کسی به حُسن و ملاحت به یارِ ما نرسد
By old friendship's truth, no keeper of the secret
can match our Friend, truth-telling and perfect.
به حق صحبت دیرین که هیچ محرمِ راز
به یارِ یک جهت حق‌گزارِ ما نرسد
A thousand forms from Creation's pen arise
yet none hold the heart like our Idol's design so wise.
هزار نقش برآید ز کِلکِ صُنع و یکی
به دل‌پذیری نقشِ نگارِ ما نرسد
A thousand coins fill the universe's bazaar
but none match the mark of our Assay Master's star.
هزار نقد به بازارِ کائنات آرند
یکی به سکهٔ صاحب عیارِ ما نرسد
Alas, life's caravan departed such that
their dust cannot reach our homeland's air's habitat.
دریغ قافله عمر کآن چنان رفتند
که گَردشان به هوایِ دیارِ ما نرسد
O heart, grieve not for envious spite, be sure
no evil can reach our hopeful mind, so pure.
دلا ز رنجِ حسودان مرنج و واثق باش
که بد به خاطرِ امیدوارِ ما نرسد
Live so that if you become the path's dust someday
no trace of worry from our passage will stay.
چنان بِزی که اگر خاکِ ره شوی کس را
غبارِ خاطری از ره‌گذارِ ما نرسد
Hafez burned away, and I fear his tale may never
reach our achieving King's ear, now or ever.
بسوخت حافظ و ترسم که شرحِ قصهٔ او
به سمعِ پادشهِ کام‌گارِ ما نرسد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses praise for the beloved and advice about living. The repeated structure of 'does not reach' creates a powerful rhythm. The verse about 'the caravan of life' going in such a way that 'their dust' does not reach 'the air of our land' is a poignant image of loss. The advice to live so that 'the dust of a thought' from Hafez's passing 'does not reach' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of praise and wisdom makes it engaging.