Poem #193
English Translation
Persian
In our glance-play, the unaware are dazed
I am as shown; let others be amazed.
در نظربازیِ ما، بی‌خبران، حیران‌اند
من چُنینم که نمودم، دگر ایشان دانند
The wise are points within the compass round
But Love knows in this circle they are bound.
عاقلان، نقطهٔ پرگارِ وجودند ولی
عشق داند که در این دایره، سرگردان‌اند
Not only my eye holds her face's light
The Sun and Moon revolve this mirror bright.
جلوه‌گاهِ رخِ او، دیدهٔ من، تنها نیست
ماه و خورشید، همین آینه می‌گردانند
Our covenant with sweet-lipped ones is tied
We are the slaves; they, lords of all the pride.
عهد ما با لبِ شیرین‌دهنان بَسْت خدا
ما، همه، بنده و این قوم، خداوندان‌اند
Bankrupt, we seek the wine and minstrel's song
Alas, if wool cloaks are not pledged for long!
مُفْلِسانیم و هوایِ مِی و مُطرب داریم
آه اگر خرقهٔ پشمین به گرو نَسْتانند
The bat-blind eye sees not the Sun's embrace
For seers are bewildered by that Face.
وصلِ خورشید به شب‌پَرِّهٔ اَعْمی نرسد
که در آن آینه، صاحب‌نظران، حیران‌اند
To boast of love, yet plain of the Friend's way?
Such lovers deserve exile, far away.
لافِ عشق و گِلِه از یار؟ زَهی لافِ دروغ!
عشق‌بازانِ چُنین، مُسْتَحَقِ هِجْران‌اند
Unless your black eye teaches me the art
None can hide drunkenness within the heart.
مگرم چشمِ سیاهِ تو بیاموزد کار
ورنه مستوری و مستی، همه‌کس نَتْوانند
If breeze bears your scent to the spirit's land
Soul and Mind scatter gems from open hand.
گر به نُزهَتگَهِ ارواح بَرَد بویِ تو، باد
عقل و جان، گوهرِ هستی به نثار افشانند
If ascetics grasp not Hafez's way, what then?
Demons flee from the Quran-reading men.
زاهد ار رندیِ حافظ نکند فهم، چه شد؟
دیو بُگْریزَد از آن قوم که قرآن خوانند
If Magian boys our secret thought should know
They'd take no Sufi cloak in pledge, I trow.
گر شوند آگه از اندیشهٔ ما مُغ‌بَچِگان
بعد از این خرقهٔ صوفی به گرو نَسْتانند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about love and understanding. The verse about the wise being 'the point of the compass of existence' but love knowing they are 'wandering' in the circle is a profound statement. The observation that 'the moon and the sun' turn 'this same mirror' of the beloved's face is a striking image. The verse about the demon fleeing from those who read the Quran adds Islamic cultural depth. The poem's combination of mystical insight and social commentary makes it very engaging.
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