Poem #187
English Translation
Persian
O heart, burn on! For burning does the work needed
The midnight prayer repels a hundred plagues, unheeded.
دلا بسوز که سوزِ تو کارها بِکُنَد
نیازِ نیمْ‌شبی دفعِ صد بلا بِکُنَد
Bear lovingly the fairy-faced Friend's sharp disdain
One glance compensates for a hundred years of pain.
عِتابِ یارِ پری‌چهره عاشقانه بکَش
که یک کرشمه تلافیِّ صد جفا بکُند
From Kingdom unto Kingdom, veils are drawn aside
For those who serve the World-Reviewing Cup with pride.
ز مُلک تا ملکوتش حجاب بردارند
هر آن که خدمتِ جامِ جهان‌نما بکُند
Love's doctor has Messiah's breath and kindly care
But if he sees no pain, how can he cure despair?
طبیبِ عشق مسیحا‌دَم است و مُشفِق، لیک
چو دَرد در تو نبیند که را دوا بکُند؟
Cast all your work on God, and keep a happy heart
If rivals show no mercy, God will do His part.
تو با خدایِ خود انداز کار و دل خوش دار
که رحم اگر نکند مُدَّعی، خدا بکُند
I weary of sleeping fortune; will it wake and rise
To offer one dawn prayer before the morning skies?
ز بختِ خفته ملولم، بُوَد که بیداری
به وقتِ فاتحهٔ صبح، یک دعا بکُند؟
Hafez has burned, yet caught no scent of that dark hair
Unless the breeze guides fortune to the lover there.
بسوخت حافظ و بویی به زلفِ یار نَبُرد
مگر دِلالتِ این دولتش صبا بکُند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound advice about love and patience. The verse about 'the burning of yours' doing 'works' and 'the need of midnight' repelling 'a hundred calamities' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'one coquetry' compensates for 'a hundred cruelties' is a profound statement about love's power. The reference to the Messiah-breath physician adds biblical depth. The poem's combination of practical advice and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"
"Don't seek obedience and covenant and righteousness from me, the drunk **** for I became famous for cup-measuring on the..."
"Go to your own work, O preacher—what is this shouting? **** My heart fell from the path; what has befallen you?"
"Since the end of your tress fell into the hand of the breeze **** the melancholic heart has split in two from grief"