Poem #196
English Translation
Persian
Those who turn dust to gold with but a glance
Might they bestow on us one sidelong glance?
آنان که خاک را به نظر کیمیا کنند
آیا بُوَد که گوشهٔ چشمی به ما کنند
My pain lies better hid than healers claim
May Unseen treasuries cure in God's own name.
دَردَم نهفته بِه ز طبیبانِ مدعی باشد
که از خزانهٔ غیبم دوا کنند
Since the Beloved won't unveil her face
Why do we all imagine, dream, and trace?
معشوق چون نقاب ز رخ درنمی‌کشد
هر کس حکایتی به تَصوّر چرا کنند؟
Since fate comes not through sin or piety
Best leave our work to God's deep charity.
چون حُسنِ عاقبت نه به رندی و زاهدیست
آن بِه که کارِ خود به عنایت رها کنند
Be not unknowing, for Love's marketplace
The wise transact with friends they know by face.
بی معرفت مباش که در من یزیدِ عشق
اهلِ نظر معامله با آشنا کنند
Much tumult stirs behind the curtain's fold
What will they do when all is seen and told?
حالی درونِ پرده بسی فتنه می‌رود
تا آن زمان که پرده برافتد چه‌ها کنند
If stones should weep at this tale, do not wonder
The wise tell heart's tale with sweetness under.
گر سنگ از این حدیث بنالد عجب مدار
صاحبدلان حکایتِ دل خوش ادا کنند
Drink wine! A hundred hidden sins are best
Than prayers performed with pious hypocrisy's jest.
مِی خور که صد گناه ز اغیار در حجاب
بهتر ز طاعتی که به روی و ریا کنند
The shirt that bears my Joseph's scent, I fear
Jealous brothers will tear like coat austere.
پیراهنی که آید از او بویِ یوسفم
ترسم برادران غَیورش قَبا کنند
Pass by the tavern where the mystics pray
That they may spend their hours for you each day.
بگذر به کویِ میکده تا زُمرِهٔ حضور
اوقاتِ خود ز بهر تو صرفِ دعا کنند
Hidden from envious eyes, I call within
For benefactors give for God's love, not for men.
پنهان ز حاسدان به خودم خوان که مُنعِمان
خیرِ نهان برایِ رضایِ خدا کنند
Hafez, lasting union cannot be
Kings give no thought to beggars such as we.
حافظ دوامِ وصل میسر نمی‌شود
شاهان کم التفات به حالِ گدا کنند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most famous and profound poems. The verse about 'a hundred sins' in secret being better than 'an obedience' done 'with face and hypocrisy' is a profound statement about sincerity. The reference to Joseph and his brothers adds biblical depth. The observation that 'the beauty of the end' is not achieved through 'libertinism and asceticism' but through grace is a striking statement. The poem's combination of social critique, mystical insight, and cultural references makes it extremely engaging.
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