Poem #176
English Translation
Persian
At dawn, my fortune woke and stood beside my bed
"Arise!" it cried, "For Khosrow comes, by Shirin led."
سَحَرم دولتِ بیدار به بالین آمد
گفت برخیز که آن خسرو شیرین آمد
Take up the cup and walk with joy to see the sight
Behold how your Beloved comes in beauty's light.
قدحی درکش و سرخوش به تماشا بخرام
تا ببینی که نگارت به چه آیین آمد
O solitude that opens musk, bring news so dear
That from Khotan's far desert comes the musk-deer here.
مژدگانی بده ای خلوتیِ نافهگشای
که ز صحرایِ خُتَن آهویِ مُشکین آمد
My weeping brought back water to the burning face
And lamentation helped the lover in disgrace.
گریه آبی به رخِ سوختگان بازآورد
ناله فریادرَسِ عاشقِ مسکین آمد
The heart's bird seeks the eyebrow's bow once more in flight
Beware, O gentle dove, the falcon strikes tonight.
مرغِ دل باز هوادارِ کمانابروییست
ای کبوتر نگران باش که شاهین آمد
Cupbearer, pour the wine! Let grief be cast away
For what we wished has come, and what was hard, astray.
ساقیا می بده و غم مخور از دشمن و دوست
که به کامِ دلِ ما آن بشد و این آمد
The spring cloud saw the world's faithless, cruel decree
And wept on jasmine, hyacinth, and wild rose tree.
رسمِ بدعهدیِ ایّام چو دید ابرِ بهار
گریهاش بر سمن و سنبل و نسرین آمد
The breeze heard Hafez's song from the nightingale's throat
And scattered musk upon the flowers, note by note.
چون صبا گفتهٔ حافظ بشنید از بلبل
عَنبرافشان به تماشایِ ریاحین آمد
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses joy at the beloved's arrival. The reference to Khosrow and Shirin (a famous Persian love story) adds cultural depth. The verse about the musk deer coming 'from the desert of Khotan' is a beautiful image. The observation that 'weeping' brought 'water' to 'the face of the burned ones' is a powerful image of relief. The poem's combination of celebration and cultural references makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"O Cupbearer, circulate the cup and pass it, for love seemed easy at first but difficulties arose."
"If that Turk of Shiraz takes my heart in hand, **** I will give Samarkand and Bukhara for his Hindu mole."
"To the courtiers of the sultan, who will deliver this prayer? **** That in gratitude for kingship, do not drive the begg..."
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"