Poem #168
English Translation
Persian
The soul melted for the heart's work to complete—yet failed
we burned in this raw longing unassailed.
گداخت جان که شود کارِ دل تمام و نشد
بسوختیم در این آرزویِ خام و نشد
I begged: 'One night let me rule your gathering hall'
became her hidden servant willingly—but not at all.
به لابه گفت شبی میرِ مجلسِ تو شوم
شدم به رغبتِ خویشش کمین غلام و نشد
I sent word: 'I'll sit with libertines in wine'
gained the name but not the joy—just bitter brine.
پیام داد که خواهم نشست با رندان
بشد به رندی و دُردی کشیم نام و نشد
It's right if the heart's dove trembles at the door
it saw the snare's twist in its path, yet couldn't soar.
رواست در بَر اگر می‌تَپَد کبوترِ دل
که دید در رهِ خود تاب و پیچِ دام و نشد
With desire to kiss that ruby lip in drunken state
what blood filled my heart like a cup—yet fell to fate.
بدان هوس که به مستی ببوسم آن لبِ لعل
چه خون که در دلم افتاد همچو جام و نشد
Don't step in Love's quarter without a guide to show
I tried a hundred times myself—it didn't go.
به کویِ عشق مَنِه بی دلیلِ راه، قدم
که من به خویش نمودم صد اهتمام و نشد
Alas! In seeking desire's treasure-scroll unfurled
I was ruined completely by grief—but got no world.
فغان که در طلبِ گنج نامهٔ مقصود شدم
خرابِ جهانی ز غم تمام و نشد
Alas! In seeking presence's treasure I became
a beggar at the generous door—yet nothing came.
دریغ و درد که در جست و جوی گنجِ حضور
بسی شدم به گدایی بَرِ کِرام و نشد
Hafez devised a thousand tricks from thoughtful schemes
to tame that Beauty was his burning dream—yet dreams stay dreams.
هزار حیله برانگیخت حافظ از سرِ فکر
در آن هوس که شود آن نگار رام و نشد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses frustration and unfulfilled desires. The repeated structure of 'and did not' creates a powerful sense of failure and longing. The verse about the soul melting but the heart's work not being complete is a striking image. The observation that Hafez tried 'a thousand tricks' to make the beloved 'tame' but 'did not' is a poignant statement about love's impossibility. The poem's combination of emotional intensity and structural repetition makes it very engaging.
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