Poem #199
English Translation
Persian
The preachers who make show in mosque and prayer
In private do quite different deeds out there!
واعظان کاین جلوه در محراب و منبر می‌کنند
چون به خلوت می‌روند آن کارِ دیگر می‌کنند!
I ask the learned sage to clarify
Why those who preach repentance rarely try?
مشکلی دارم، زِ دانشمندِ مجلس بازپرس
توبه‌فرمایان، چرا خود توبه کم‌تر می‌کنند؟
They seem not to believe in Judgment Day
With all their fraud in holy work at play.
گوییا باور نمی‌دارند روزِ داوری
کاین همه قَلب و دَغَل در کارِ داور می‌کنند
O God, show these new-rich their own donkey's way
Who flaunt their Turkish slaves and steeds in proud display.
یا رب این نُودولَتان را با خَرِ خودْشان نشان
کاین همه ناز از غلامِ تُرک و اَسْتَر می‌کنند
O monastery beggar, go! In Magian shrine
They pour the water that makes hearts divine.
ای گدای خانِقَه، بَرْجَه که در دِیرِ مُغان
می‌دهند آبی که دل‌ها را توانگر می‌کنند
Her endless beauty slays so many more
New lovers rise from the Unseen's vast shore.
حُسنِ بی‌پایان او، چندان که عاشق می‌کُشد
زمرهٔ دیگر به عشق از غیب سَر بَر می‌کنند
O Angel, at Love's tavern door say prayer divine
For there they leaven Adam's clay with sacred wine.
بر درِ می‌خانهٔ عشق ای مَلَک، تسبیح گوی
کاَندر آن جا، طینَتِ آدم مُخَمَّر می‌کنند
At dawn a cry came from the Throne on high
Reason said: 'Angels recite Hafez's poetry.'
صبح‌دم از عرش می‌آمد خروشی، عقل گفت
«قُدسیان گویی که شعرِ حافظ از بَر می‌کنند»
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most famous and profound poems. The opening verse about the preachers doing 'that work, other' when they go to privacy is a powerful social critique. The observation that they don't believe in 'the day of judgment' because of all the 'deception and fraud' they do is a profound statement. The verse about the angels reciting Hafez's poetry from memory is a striking image. The poem's combination of social critique, mystical insight, and humor makes it extremely engaging.
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