Poem #167
English Translation
Persian
A star shone bright and became the meeting's moon
companion to our frightened heart and boon.
ستاره‌ای بدرخشید و ماهِ مجلس شد
دل رمیدهٔ ما را رفیق و مونس شد
My Idol never went to school or learned to write
with glances taught a hundred masters overnight.
نگارِ من که به مکتب نرفت و خط ننوشت
به غمزه مسأله‌آموزِ صد مُدَرِّس شد
Her fragrance made lovers' sick hearts like dawn's breeze
sacrifice for wild-rose cheek and narcissus eyes with ease.
به بویِ او دلِ بیمارِ عاشقان چو صبا
فدایِ عارضِ نسرین و چشمِ نرگس شد
The Friend now seats me at the place of honor's throne
behold—the city beggar is the gathering's lord well-known.
به صدرِ مَصطَبه‌ام می‌نِشانَد اکنون دوست
گدایِ شهر نِگَه کُن که میرِ مجلس شد
Khidr's water dream and Alexander's goblet grand
were given to Sultan Abu'l-Fawaris' hand.
خیالِ آبِ خِضِر بست و جامِ اسکندر
به جرعه‌نوشیِ سلطان ابوالفَوارِس شد
Love's house of joy will now be built anew
my Friend's eyebrow arch designed it through and through.
طرب‌سرایِ محبت کنون شود مَعمور
که طاقِ اَبرویِ یارِ مَنَش مهندس شد
For God's sake, wipe the wine drops from your lips
my mind with thousand sinful thoughts now grips.
لب از تَرَشُّحِ مِی پاک کن برایِ خدا
که خاطرم به هزاران گُنَه مُوَسوِس شد
Your coquetry poured wine for lovers to consume
knowledge fell senseless, reason lost in fume.
کرشمهٔ تو شرابی به عاشقان پیمود
که عِلم بی‌خبر افتاد و عقل بی‌حس شد
My verse is gold, existence's treasure true
the mighty's favor is the elixir turning copper's hue.
چو زر عزیزِ وجود است نظمِ من، آری
قبولِ دولتیان کیمیایِ این مس شد
Friends, turn your reins from the tavern's way
Hafez took that path and went bankrupt, they say.
ز راهِ میکده یاران عِنان بگردانید
چرا که حافظ از این راه رفت و مفلس شد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses joy at the beloved's arrival. The verse about the beloved who 'to school did not go' becoming 'problem-teacher of a hundred teachers' with coquetry is a striking image. The reference to Khidr (a legendary figure) and Alexander adds cultural depth. The observation that the beloved's coquetry made 'knowledge unaware' and 'intellect without sense' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of celebration and cultural references makes it engaging.
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