Poem #194
English Translation
Persian
When jasmine-scented ones sit down, grief's dust they lay
When fairy-faced ones fight, they take our peace away.
سَمَن‌بویان غبارِ غم چو بنشینند، بنشانند
پری‌رویان قرار از دل چو بستیزند، بستانند
They bind our hearts with cruelty's tight snare
And scatter souls from amber-scented hair.
به فِتراکِ جفا دل‌ها چو بربندند، بربندند
ز زلفِ عَنبرین جان‌ها چو بگشایند، بفشانند
They sit one breath in a whole life, then rise
Planting the tree of longing in our eyes.
به عمری یک نَفَس با ما چو بنشینند، برخیزند
نهالِ شوق در خاطر چو برخیزند، بنشانند
Finding the recluse tears, they find a pearl
From dawn-risers, they turn not, in the whirl.
سرشکِ گوشه‌گیران را چو دریابند، دُر یابند
رخِ مِهر از سحرخیزان نگردانند، اگر دانند
They laugh and rain red rubies from my eyes
Reading the secret that upon my face lies.
ز چشمم لَعْلِ رُمّانی چو می‌خندند، می‌بارند
ز رویم رازِ پنهانی چو می‌بینند، می‌خوانند
Who thinks the lover's cure is easy found
Is like those who in remedies abound.
دوایِ دَردِ عاشق را کسی کو سهل پندارد
ز فکر آنان که در تدبیر درمانند، در مانند
Like Mansur, they take those who seek the prize
They drive Hafez away, though he applies.
چو منصور از مراد آنان که بردارند، بر دارند
بدین درگاه حافظ را چو می‌خوانند، می‌رانند
In this court, need brings coquetry in turn
With this pain, if in bond, for cure they burn.
در این حضرت چو مشتاقان نیاز آرند، ناز آرند
که با این دَرد اگر دربند درمانند، در مانند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about love and the beloved's power. The verse about the beloved sitting 'with a lifetime, one breath' and then rising is a striking image of transience. The observation that when they see Hafez's face, they 'read' the 'hidden secret' is a profound statement. The reference to Mansur (a famous Sufi martyr) adds cultural depth. The poem's combination of emotional expression and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
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