Poem #202
English Translation
Persian
Will the wine-house doors at last be opened once more
and the knot of all our tightly bound affairs be restored?
بُوَد آیا که درِ میکده‌ها بگشایند؟
گره از کارِ فروبستهٔ ما بگشایند؟
If they shut the doors to soothe the self-righteous ascetic's heart
take courage, for in God's own name they will open them again.
اگر از بهرِ دلِ زاهدِ خودبین بستند
دل قوی دار که از بهرِ خدا بگشایند
By the pure hearts of dawn-drunk libertines who dare
many a locked door opens with the key of prayer.
به صفایِ دلِ رندانِ صَبوحی‌زدگان
بس درِ بسته به مِفْتاحِ دعا بگشایند
Write the mourning letter for the rose's tender daughter fair
so every Magian youth may loose his double-twisted hair.
نامهٔ تَعزیَتِ دختر رَز بِنْویسید
تا همه مُغبَچِگان زلفِ دوتا بگشایند
Cut the harp's flowing hair to mourn pure wine's demise
till every comrade looses blood-red tears from their eyes.
گیسوی چنگ بِبُرّید به مرگِ مِیِ ناب
تا حریفان همه خون از مژه‌ها بگشایند
They shut the wine-house door—O God, do not approve
that they should open wide the house of pretense and reproof.
درِ میخانه ببستند خدایا مپسند
که درِ خانهٔ تزویر و ریا بگشایند
Hafez, this cloak you wear—you'll see it clear tomorrow
what hidden belt they loose beneath it in deceitful sorrow.
حافظ این خرقه که داری تو ببینی فردا
که چه زُنّار ز زیرش به دَغا بگشایند
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains a powerful social critique. The verse about the doors of wine-houses being closed while the door of 'the house of hypocrisy and pretense' may be opened is a striking statement. The observation that Hafez will see tomorrow what belt is opened 'from under' the cloak 'with deception' is a profound statement about hypocrisy. The poem's combination of social critique and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
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