Poem #163
English Translation
Persian
The rose without the Friend's face holds no cheer
spring without wine brings no pleasure here.
گل بی‌رخِ یار خوش نباشد
بی‌باده بهار خوش نباشد
The meadow's edge and garden's wandering way
without the tulip-cheeked one brings no joy today.
طَرفِ چمن و طوافِ بستان
بی‌لاله‌عذار خوش نباشد
The cypress dance and rose's lovely state
without the nightingale, can't captivate.
رقصیدن سرو و حالتِ گُل
بی‌صوتِ هَزار خوش نباشد
With sugar lips and rose-like form so fair
without kiss and embrace, no pleasure's there.
با یارِ شکرلبِ گل‌اندام
بی‌بوس و کنار خوش نباشد
Every design that Reason's hand creates
save the Beloved's form, cannot elate.
هر نقش که دستِ عقل بندد
جز نقشِ نگار، خوش نباشد
The soul's base coin, Hafez, cheap at best
not fit to be sacrificed with zest.
جان نقدِ مُحَقَّر است حافظ
از بهرِ نثار خوش نباشد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses what makes things pleasant. The repeated structure of 'pleasant will not be' creates a powerful rhythm. The verse about the rose not being pleasant 'without the face of the friend' is a beautiful statement. The observation that 'every design that the hand of intellect binds' is not pleasant 'except the design of the beautiful one' is a profound statement about love's primacy. The poem's combination of structure and meaning makes it engaging.