Poem #222
English Translation
Persian
Whoever leaves your quarter's head in weariness and discontent
will fail in all endeavors and depart at last in shame's lament.
از سرِ کویِ تو هر کو به ملالت برود
نرود کارش و آخِر به خجالت برود
A caravan escorted by God's protective hand on high
may rest with dignity and then depart in majesty to the sky.
کاروانی که بُوَد بدرقه‌اش حفظِ خدا
به تَجَمُّل بنشیند به جَلالت برود
The seeker takes the path to the Beloved through guidance's gleaming light
for those who stray in error's dark will never reach that height.
سالک از نورِ هدایت بِبَرَد راه به دوست
که به جایی نرسد گر به ضَلالت برود
At life's end, seek your heart's desire from wine and love's sweet art
what pity if a single moment passes idle from the start!
کامِ خود آخرِ عمر از مِی و معشوق بگیر
حیفِ اوقات که یک سر به بطالت برود
O guide of lost hearts, help me, for God's sake I implore
if strangers cannot find the path, let guidance be their door.
ای دلیلِ دلِ گمگشته خدا را مددی
که غریب اَر نَبَرَد رَه، به دلالت برود
The decree of veiling and of drunkenness rests at the final seal
no one can know in what state our journey's end will be revealed.
حکمِ مستوری و مستی همه بر خاتِمَت است
کس ندانست که آخِر به چه حالت برود
Hafez, bring a cup from wisdom's spring into your waiting hand
that ignorance's pattern may be washed from your heart's sacred land.
حافظ از چشمهٔ حکمت به کف آور جامی
بو که از لوحِ دلت نقشِ جهالت برود
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound advice about the path and life. The verse about taking 'the path to the friend' from 'the light of guidance' and not reaching 'a place' if going 'to error' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'the command of concealment and intoxication' is 'on the end' and 'no one did not know that finally, to what state' one goes is a profound statement. The poem's combination of practical advice and mystical insight makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"My heart is leaving my hands—O wise-hearted ones, for God's sake! **** Alas, that the hidden secret will become manifest"
"O Sufi, come, for the cup is a clear mirror, **** so that you may see the clarity of the ruby-colored wine"
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"
"Don't seek obedience and covenant and righteousness from me, the drunk **** for I became famous for cup-measuring on the..."