Poem #203
English Translation
Persian
For years our book was pledged to wine's embrace
and the tavern's glory came from our lessons and our grace.
سال‌ها دفترِ ما در گرو صَهبا بود
رونقِ میکده از درس و دعایِ ما بود
See the kindness of the old Magian toward drunkards such as we
whatever we did seemed fair within his generous sight so free.
نیکیِ پیرِ مغان بین که چو ما بدمستان
هر چه کردیم به چشمِ کَرَمَش زیبا بود
Wash all our books of knowledge with the wine's crimson sign
for I saw the wheeling heavens set against the wise heart's design.
دفترِ دانش ما جمله بشویید به مِی
که فلک دیدم و در قصدِ دلِ دانا بود
Seek that grace from idols if you know beauty, O heart
for the one who said so saw with insight in love's art.
از بتان آن طلب ار حسن شناسی ای دل
کاین کسی گفت که در علمِ نظر بینا بود
My heart like a compass spun toward every way
yet in that very circle stood bewildered, firm in stay.
دل چو پرگار به هر سو دَوَرانی می‌کرد
و اندر آن دایره سرگشتهٔ پابرجا بود
The musician drew from love's deep ache a mournful art
till sages of the world washed lashes with blood from the heart.
مُطرب از دَردِ محبت عملی می‌پرداخت
که حکیمانِ جهان را مژه خون پالا بود
I bloomed with joy like a rose beside the flowing stream
for overhead that towering cypress cast its tender gleam.
می‌شکفتم ز طرب زان که چو گُل بر لبِ جوی
بر سرم سایهٔ آن سروِ سَهی بالا بود
My rosy-cheeked elder granted no leave to speak ill of the azure-clad
else countless stories would have been ready to be had.
پیرِ گلرنگِ من اندر حقِ اَزْرَق‌پوشان
رخصتِ خُبث نداد ار نه حکایت‌ها بود
Hafez's gilded coin of heart would not pass in that bazaar
for that keen Merchant saw through every hidden scar.
قلبِ اندودهٔ حافظ بَرِ او خرج نشد
کاین مُعامِل به همه عیبِ نهان بینا بود
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses gratitude and reflection. The verse about washing 'the notebook of knowledge' with wine because the turning was 'in the intention of the heart of the wise one' is a profound statement. The observation that the heart was 'like a compass' turning 'to every side' but was 'fixed' in 'that circle' is a striking image. The poem's combination of gratitude and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
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