Poem #159
English Translation
Persian
The Sufi's coin is not all pure and fraud-free
how many cloaks deserve the fire's decree!
نقدِ صوفی نه همه صافیِ بی‌غَش باشد
ای بسا خرقه که مُستوجبِ آتش باشد
Our Sufi, drunk from dawn prayer's rite
beware come evening, he'll be cheerful and light.
صوفیِ ما که ز وِردِ سحری مست شدی
شامگاهش نگران باش که سرخوش باشد
How sweet if experience's touchstone came to test
until the fraudulent are shamed before the rest.
خوش بُوَد گر محکِ تجربه آید به میان
تا سیه‌روی شود هر که در او غَش باشد
If the Saki's line strikes water in this way
how many faces will be decorated with blood's display!
خَطِّ ساقی گر از این گونه زند نقش بر آب
ای بسا رُخ که به خونآبه مُنَقَّش باشد
Luxury's pampered child won't reach the Friend's way
Love is the path of libertines who calamity's price pay.
ناز‌پروردِ تَنَعُّم نبَرَد راه به دوست
عاشقی شیوهٔ رندانِ بلاکش باشد
How long eat the mean world's grief? Drink wine instead
it's a pity if the wise heart is troubled and misled.
غمِ دنیای دَنی چند خوری؟ باده بخور
حیف باشد دلِ دانا که مُشَوَّش باشد
The Wine-seller will take Hafez's cloak and prayer-rug true
if his wine from the moon-like Saki's hand breaks through.
دلق و سجادهٔ حافظ ببَرَد باده‌فروش
گر شرابش ز کفِ ساقی مَه‌وَش باشد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about hypocrisy and authenticity. The opening verse about 'how many cloaks' being 'deserving of fire' is a striking critique of religious hypocrisy. The observation that 'love' is 'the way of the calamity-eating libertines' is a profound statement. The verse about the 'touchstone of experience' making fraud 'black-faced' is a powerful image. The poem's combination of social critique and wisdom makes it very engaging.