Poem #240
English Translation
Persian
March clouds arose, Nowruz winds began to blow
I want wine's face and a musician—who says they've come? Let's go!
ابرِ آذاری برآمد بادِ نوروزی وزید
وَجهِ مِی می‌خواهم و مُطرب، که می‌گوید رسید؟
Beauties parade their charms while I'm ashamed—my purse too light
love's burden mixed with poverty is hard, but I must bear this plight.
شاهدان در جلوه و من شرمسارِ کیسه‌ام
بارِ عشق و مُفلسی صَعب است، می‌باید کشید
In generosity's famine, don't sell your honor to survive
buy wine and roses with your cloak's price—that's how to thrive!
قَحطِ جُود است آبروی خود نمی‌باید فروخت
باده و گُل از بهایِ خرقه می‌باید خرید
It seems my fortune will unlock some work at last
for through the night, I prayed as true dawn's breath was breathing into light.
گوییا خواهد گشود از دولتم کاری که دوش
من همی‌کردم دعا و صبحِ صادق می‌دمید
The rose came to the garden with a smile and laughter's sound
as if in some corner it had heard generosity's fragrance all around.
با لبی و صد هزاران خنده آمد گل به باغ
از کریمی گوییا در گوشه‌ای بویی شنید
If your skirt tears in the libertine's world, what's there to fear?
To gain good reputation, you must tear a garment here.
دامنی گر چاک شد در عالمِ رندی چه باک
جامه‌ای در نیکنامی نیز می‌باید درید
Who else could speak these subtleties from your ruby lips but I?
Who else has seen the tyranny your tresses testify?
این لطایف کز لبِ لَعلِ تو من گفتم، که گفت؟
وین تَطاول کز سرِ زلفِ تو من دیدم، که دید؟
If the sultan's justice won't inquire of love's oppressed who cry
the corner-dwellers must cut off all hope of comfort by and by.
عدلِ سلطان گر نپرسد حالِ مظلومانِ عشق
گوشه‌گیران را ز آسایش طمع باید بُرید
Who struck the lover-slaying arrow at Hafez's heart? I cannot say
but this I know: fresh blood drips from his poetry's every phrase.
تیرِ عاشق‌کُش ندانم بر دلِ حافظ که زد
این قَدَر دانم که از شعرِ تَرَش خون می‌چکید
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem celebrates Nowruz (Persian New Year) and contains social commentary. The reference to Nowruz adds cultural depth. The verse about 'the famine of generosity' and not selling 'the honor of your own' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'from the fresh poetry' of Hafez 'blood drips' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of celebration and social commentary makes it very engaging.