Poem #215
English Translation
Persian
In the tavern quarter, Lord, what stirring scene at dawn unrolled?
The witness, Cupbearer, candles, torches—excitement yet untold!
به کویِ میکده یا رب سحر چه مشغله بود؟
که جوشِ شاهد و ساقی و شمع و مشعله بود
Love's tale, which needs no words or sounds to convey its truth complete
was told through tambourine and reed in tumult's wild and passionate beat.
حدیثِ عشق که از حرف و صوت مُستَغنیست
به نالهٔ دف و نی در خروش و ولوله بود
The discourse in that mad assembly transcended far and wide
beyond the school's debates and questions and their scholarly pride.
مباحثی که در آن مجلسِ جنون می‌رفت
وَرایِ مدرسه و قال و قیلِ مسأله بود
My heart turned sweet as sugar from the Cupbearer's coquettish art
yet harbored mild complaint at fortune's unfavorable part.
دل از کرشمهٔ ساقی به شُکر بود ولی
ز نامساعدیِ بختش اندکی گِلِه بود
I judged: those magical intoxicated eyes held in their spell
a thousand sorcerers like the Samaritan under their power fell.
قیاس کردم و آن چشمِ جادوانهٔ مست
هزار ساحر چون سامریش در گَله بود
I asked, 'Grant one kiss upon my lips, I pray'
she laughed, 'When did we ever make such a bargain, say?'
بگفتمش به لبم بوسه‌ای حوالت کن
به خنده گفت کِی‌ات با من این معامله بود؟
A fortunate glance from my star lights the path ahead I tread
for last night the moon opposed my beloved's face with dread.
ز اخترم نظری سعد در رَه است که دوش
میان ماه و رخِ یارِ من مُقابله بود
The beloved's mouth held Hafez's cure within its sweet domain
alas! How short was patience when the time for kindness came again.
دهانِ یار که درمانِ دردِ حافظ داشت
فغان که وقتِ مُرُوَّت چه تنگ حوصله بود
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses the atmosphere of a wine-house gathering. The verse about 'the tale of love' being 'independent' from 'letter and sound' and being 'in uproar and tumult' to 'the lamentation of the tambourine and the reed' is a striking statement. The reference to the Samaritan adds biblical depth. The observation that the beloved's mouth had 'the cure of the pain of Hafez' but at 'the time of humanity' patience was 'narrow' is a poignant statement. The poem's combination of atmosphere and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
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