Poem #183
English Translation
Persian
Last night at dawn they saved me from my grief and strife
And in the dark of night gave me the Water of Life.
دوش وقتِ سَحَر از غُصّه نجاتم دادند
واندر آن ظلمتِ شب آبِ حیاتم دادند
They made me selfless with the Essence's bright ray
And from the cup of Attributes, wine came my way.
بیخود از شَعْشَعِهٔ پرتوِ ذاتم کردند
باده از جامِ تَجَلّیِّ صفاتم دادند
O blessed dawn! O happy night! That Night of Power
When this fresh warrant came to me in that blest hour.
چه مبارک‌سَحَری بود و چه فرخنده‌شبی
آن شبِ قدر که این تازه‌براتم دادند
Henceforth my face reflects the Beauty described there
Where news of Essence's display was laid all bare.
بعد از این رویِ من و آینهٔ وصفِ جمال
که در آن‌جا خبر از جلوهٔ ذاتم دادند
If I am happy now and have my heart's desire
I earned these alms, raised from the dust and mire.
من اگر کامروا گشتم و خوشدل چه عجب؟
مستحق بودم و این‌ها به زکاتم دادند
The Unseen Voice gave news of fortune on that day
That patience with injustice would be mine alway.
هاتف آن روز به من مژدهٔ این دولت داد
که بِدان جور و جفا صبر و ثباتم دادند
This honey and this sugar that my words downpour
Is patience's reward from that branch I adore.
این همه شهد و شِکر کز سخنم می‌ریزد
اجرِ صبریست کز آن شاخِ نباتم دادند
'Twas Hafez's will and dawn-risers' breath so pure
That saved me from the grief the days make us endure.
همّتِ حافظ و انفاسِ سحرخیزان بود
که ز بندِ غمِ ایّام نجاتم دادند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses gratitude for a mystical experience. The reference to the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr, a significant night in Islam) adds Islamic cultural depth. The verse about being made 'selfless' from 'the radiance of the ray of essence' is a profound mystical statement. The observation that all the 'honey and sugar' that pours from Hafez's word is 'the reward of patience' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of mystical experience and gratitude makes it very engaging.
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