Poem #182
English Translation
Persian
You wrote no line of how you fare, and days have passed
Where is a friend to take my message home at last?
حَسْبِ حالی نَنِوِشتی و شد ایّامی چند
مَحرمی کو که فرستم به تو پیغامی چند؟
We cannot reach that high and noble destination
Unless your grace advances with a new creation.
ما بدان مقصدِ عالی نتوانیم رسید
هم مگر پیش نَهَد لطفِ شما گامی چند
When wine flows to the jug and roses cast their veil
Seize pleasure's fleeting chance, let not the goblet fail.
چون مِی از خُم به سبو رفت و گُل افکند نقاب
فرصتِ عیش نگه دار و بزن جامی چند
Sugar and rose are not the cure for hearts in pain
Mix sweet kisses with reproaches, once again.
قندِ آمیخته با گُل نه علاجِ دلِ ماست
بوسه‌ای چند برآمیز به دشنامی چند
Ascetic, pass the libertines with safety by
Lest ill-famed talk should bring your ruin from the sky.
زاهد از کوچهٔ رندان به سلامت بگذر
تا خرابت نکند صحبتِ بدنامی چند
You list the faults of wine, now tell its virtues too
Deny not wisdom for the sake of the common few.
عیبِ مِی جمله چو گفتی، هنرش نیز بگو
نفیِ حکمت مکن از بهرِ دلِ عامی چند
O tavern beggars, God is Friend to you and kind
Expect no favor from the favors of mankind.
ای گدایانِ خرابات خدا یارِ شماست
چشمِ اِنعام مدارید ز اَنعامی چند
How well the Elder spoke to him who drinks the lees
'Tell not the burned heart's tale to raw men such as these.'
پیرِ میخانه چه خوش گفت به دُردی‌کشِ خویش
که مگو حالِ دلِ سوخته با خامی چند
Hafez has burned with longing for your sun-bright face
O successful one, glance down on our disgrace.
حافظ از شوقِ رخِ مِهر‌فروغِ تو بسوخت
کامگارا نظری کن سویِ ناکامی چند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains advice and expressions of longing. The verse about mixing 'a few kisses' with 'a few reproaches' is a striking statement about love's complexity. The observation that the ascetic should pass 'with safety' from the quarter of libertines is a poignant statement. The verse about not saying 'the state of the burned heart' to 'a few raw ones' is a profound statement about understanding. The poem's combination of advice and emotional expression makes it engaging.
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