Poem #185
English Translation
Persian
Will there be assay for the cash we hold in hand
That monastery dwellers may understand where they stand.
نقدها را بُوَد آیا که عَیاری گیرند؟
تا همه صومعه‌داران پیِ کاری گیرند
My view is this: that friends should leave all work aside
And hold the curling tress where the Beloved does hide.
مصلحت‌دیدِ من آن است که یاران همه کار
بِگُذارَند و خَمِ طُرِّهٔ یاری گیرند
The friends took hold of the Cupbearer's tress with glee
If only Fate would let them rest in constancy.
خوش گرفتند حریفان سرِ زلفِ ساقی
گر فَلَکْشان بِگُذارَد که قراری گیرند
Boast not of abstinence's arm to the fair and bright
For in this troop, they take a fortress in full flight.
قوَّتِ بازویِ پرهیز به خوبان مفروش
که در این خیل حِصاری به سواری گیرند
O Lord, how bold these Turk-born children are to slay
With eyelash arrows taking prey by night and day.
یا‌رَب این بَچِّهٔ تُرکان چه دلیرند به خون
که به تیرِ مُژه، هر لحظه شکاری گیرند
Dance to fresh verse and to the reed's lamenting tone
Especially when you hold a beauty's hand, your own.
رقص بر شعرِ تر و نالهٔ نِی خوش باشد
خاصه رقصی که در آن دستِ نگاری گیرند
Hafez, the children of this age feel not the poor man's pain
Better to step aside and from their midst refrain.
حافظ اَبنایِ زمان را غمِ مسکینان نیست
زین میان گر بتوان به که کناری گیرند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains observations about love and society. The verse about the companions taking 'the head of the cupbearer's tress' is a beautiful image. The observation that 'the children of the times' don't have 'the grief of the poor ones' is a poignant social critique. The verse about dance being pleasant especially when 'the hand of the beautiful one' is taken is a striking image. The poem's combination of social observation and imagery makes it engaging.