Poem #20
English Translation
Persian
The Fast is gone, the Eid is here, and hearts arise!
The wine boils in the jar, and we must seek the prize.
روزه یک سو شد و عید آمد و دل‌ها برخاست
می ز خُم‌خانه به‌جوش آمد و می‌باید خواست
The heavy-souled ascetics' turn has passed away,
Now is the time for joy and the libertine's play.
نوبهٔ زهدفروشانِ گران‌جان بگذشت
وقتِ رندی و طرب کردنِ رندان پیداست
What blame for one who drinks wine in this open way?
What fault is in this folly? What error, who can say?
چه ملامت بُوَد آن را که چنین باده خورَد؟
این چه عیب است بدین بی‌خردی؟ وین چه خطاست؟
Better to drink wine without hypocrisy's stain,
Than sell asceticism for a worldly gain.
باده‌نوشی که در او روی و ریایی نَبُوَد
بهتر از زهدفروشی که در او روی و ریاست
We are no hypocrites, no friends of false pretense,
He who knows secrets witnesses our innocence.
ما نه رندانِ ریاییم و حریفانِ نفاق
آن‌که او عالِم سِرّ است، بدین حال گواست
We do God's duty and we do no evil deed,
We do not call lawful what is forbidden in the creed.
فرضِ ایزد بگزاریم و به کس بد نکنیم
وان چه گویند روا نیست، نگوییم رواست
What if you and I drink a cup or two of wine?
It is the blood of grapes, not yours, that we refine.
چه شود گر من و تو چند قدح باده خوریم؟
باده از خونِ رزان است، نه از خون شماست
What fault is this, that harm should come from such a thing?
And if it be a fault, where is the faultless King?
این چه عیب است کز آن عیب، خلل خواهد بود؟
ور بُوَد نیز چه شد؟ مردم بی‌عیب کجاست؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem celebrates the end of Ramadan (fasting) and the festival (Eid), making a strong case for honest wine-drinking over hypocritical piety. The argument that 'wine-drinking without hypocrisy is better than asceticism with hypocrisy' is a powerful philosophical statement that resonates with Western audiences familiar with critiques of religious hypocrisy. The verse about performing God's duty and doing no evil shows a balanced approach. The final question 'where are the faultless people?' is a universal challenge to moral perfectionism. The poem's clear argumentation and defense of honest pleasure make it very accessible and appealing.
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