Poem #191
English Translation
Persian
Who will, with grace, show faithfulness to me?
And for my sins, grant one brief charity?
آن کیست کز رویِ کرم، با ما وفاداری کند
بر جایِ بدکاری چو من، یک دَم نکوکاری کند
First, let the reed-flute bring her word to start
Then with a cup of wine, console my heart.
اول به بانگِ نای و نی، آرد به دل پیغامِ وی
وانگه به یک پیمانه مِی، با من وفاداری کند
The Friend who wore my soul down to the bone
May yet grant comfort, though no hope is shown.
دلبر که جان فرسود از او، کامِ دلم نَگْشود از او
نومید نتْوان بود از او، باشد که دلداری کند
I said: 'I've solved no knot of that dark hair'
She said: 'I bade it tease you, and ensnare.'
گفتم گره نَگْشودهام، زان طُرِّه تا من بودهام
گفتا مَنَش فرمودهام، تا با تو طَرّاری کند
The harsh wool-wearer knows not Love's perfume
Tell him of wine, and let his senses bloom.
پشمینهپوشِ تندخو، از عشق نشنیدهاست بو
از مَستیَش رمزی بگو، تا تَرکِ هشیاری کند
For nameless beggars, such a friend is rare
When does a Sultan with a drunkard share?
چون من گدایِ بینشان، مشکل بُوَد یاری چُنان
سلطان کجا عیشِ نهان، با رندِ بازاری کند؟
From those curled locks, injustice I can bear
What grief in chains, for those who trickery dare?
زان طُرِّهٔ پُرپیچ و خَم، سهل است اگر بینم ستم
از بند و زنجیرش چه غم، هر کس که عیّاری کند؟
Grief's army grows; I seek Fate's aid and plea
That Abd al-Samad may care for grief and me.
شد لشکرِ غم بی عدد، از بخت میخواهم مدد
تا فخرِ دین عَبدُالصَّمَد، باشد که غمخواری کند
Hafez, beware her tricky, playful eye
For her dark tresses many arts will try.
با چشمِ پُرنیرنگِ او، حافظ مکن آهنگِ او
کان طُرِّهٔ شبرنگِ او، بسیار طَرّاری کند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses longing and hope. The verse about the beloved commanding the tress to do coquetry with Hafez is a striking image. The observation that it's difficult for a beggar like Hafez to have such friendship with a sultan is a poignant social statement. The reference to Abd al-Samad adds cultural depth. The poem's combination of emotional expression and social observation makes it engaging.
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