Poem #201
English Translation
Persian
Pure wine and a pleasing Cupbearer—these are two snares upon the path
from which even the wisest of the world cannot escape their artful grasp.
شرابِ بی‌غَش و ساقیِّ خوش دو دامِ رهند
که زیرکانِ جهان از کمندشان نَرَهَند
Though I am a lover, a libertine, drunk with a blackened name
a thousand thanks that my companions in the city remain free from blame.
من ار چه عاشقم و رند و مست و نامه سیاه
هزار شُکر که یارانِ شهر بی‌گنهند
Cruelty is not the craft of dervishes who walk the road
bring wine, for these so-called travelers are not true men of the Path.
جفا نه پیشهٔ درویشیَست و راهرُوی
بیار باده که این سالکان نَه مردِ رهند
Do not see as lowly the beggars of love
for this company are kings without belts and emperors without crowns—royalty stripped of vanity.
مَبین حقیر، گدایانِ عشق را
کاین قوم شَهانِ بی کمر و خسروانِ بی کُلَهند
Be vigilant, for when the wind of divine independence blows
a thousand threshing-floors of pious acts are not worth half a grain of barley.
به هوش باش که هنگامِ بادِ اِستغنا
هزار خرمنِ طاعت به نیمْ جو ننهند
Do not act so that the court of your beauty is shattered
when servants flee and attendants scatter in fear.
مَکُن که کوکبهٔ دلبری شکسته شود
چو بندگان بِگُریزند و چاکران بِجَهَند
I am servant to the aspiration of those who drink life's bitter wine with single-hearted devotion
not to that hypocrite band in blue robes with blackened hearts.
غلامِ همَّتِ دُردی کشانِ یک رنگم
نه آن گروه که اَزْرَق لباس و دل سیَهَند
Set not your foot in the tavern unless with utmost courtesy
for those who travel through its door are intimates of the King.
قدم مَنِه به خرابات جز به شرطِ ادب
که سالکانِ درش محرمانِ پادشهند
The station of Love is high and requires great aspiration, Hafez
for true lovers never grant the path of the spiritless to themselves.
جنابِ عشق بلند است همّتی حافظ
که عاشقان، رهِ بی‌همّتان به خود ندهند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about love and devotion. The verse about the beggars of love being 'kings without belt and Khosrows without crown' is a striking statement. The observation that 'a thousand harvests of obedience' may not be worth 'half a barley' at the time of 'the wind of independence' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of social observation and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
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