Poem #177
English Translation
Persian
Not every painted face knows how to steal the heart
Not every mirror-maker knows Alexander's art.
نه هر که چهره برافروخت دلبری داند
نه هر که آینه سازد سِکندری داند
Not everyone who cocks his hat and sits with pride
Knows how to rule, or how a lordship should guide.
نه هر که طَرْفِ کُلَه کج نهاد و تُند نشست
کلاه‌داری و آیینِ سروری داند
Serve not like beggars who demand a wage for due
The Friend knows well how to nurture servants true.
تو بندگی چو گدایان به شرطِ مزد مکن
که دوست خود روشِ بنده‌پروری داند
I am a slave to that wild spirit, fierce and free
Who, though a beggar, knows the art of alchemy.
غلامِ همّتِ آن رندِ عافیت‌سوزم
که در گداصفتی کیمیاگری داند
Learn faith and keeping promises, if you are wise
For otherwise, mere tyranny is all that lies.
وفا و عهد نکو باشد ار بیاموزی
وگرنه هر که تو بینی ستمگری داند
I lost my maddened heart, and did not understand
That mortal child could wield a fairy's magic wand.
بباختم دلِ دیوانه و ندانستم
که آدمی‌بچه‌ای، شیوهٔ پری داند
A thousand points more fine than hair are hidden here
Not every shaven head's a dervish or a seer.
هزار نکتهٔ باریک‌تر ز مو این‌جاست
نه هر که سر بتراشد قلندری داند
Do not reveal the mole's deep point to my poor eyes
Only a jeweler knows where the true gem lies.
مدارِ نقطهٔ بینش ز خالِ توست مرا
که قدرِ گوهرِ یک‌دانه جوهری داند
Whoever rules as King of Beauty, fair and tall
May conquer all the world, if justice rules it all.
به قَدّ و چهره هر آنکس که شاهِ خوبان شد
جهان بگیرد اگر دادگستری داند
Only the one who knows true grace and speech refined
Will find the depth in Hafez's verse and heart and mind.
ز شعرِ دلکَشِ حافظ کسی بُوَد آگاه
که لطفِ طبع و سخن گفتنِ دَری داند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about knowledge and understanding. The repeated structure of 'knows' creates a powerful rhythm. The verse about not everyone who 'mirror makes' knowing 'Alexander-hood' is a striking statement about true understanding. The observation that 'a thousand points finer than hair' are here but not everyone who 'head shaves' knows 'Qalandari' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of wisdom and structure makes it very engaging.
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