Poem #246
English Translation
Persian
The Feast is here, the Rose has had its day
Friends wait—bring wine, O Saki, light the way!
عید است و آخِرِ گُل و یاران در انتظار
ساقی به رویِ شاه ببین ماه و مِی بیار
I had withdrawn my heart from Rose's grace
but pure ones' zeal has put me in my place.
دل برگرفته بودم از ایّام گُل، ولی
کاری بِکَرد همّت پاکانِ روزه دار
Bind not your heart to earth, but drink and ask
of Jamshid's cup and his triumphant task.
دل در جهان مَبَند و به مستی سؤال کن
از فیض جام و قصهٔ جمشیدِ کامگار
Naught but my soul's poor coin is in my hand
where is the wine to scatter on the sand?
جز نقدِ جان به دست ندارم شراب کو؟
کان نیز بر کرشمهٔ ساقی کُنم نثار
A happy fortune and a King so kind
God keep him safe from eyes that envy blind.
خوش دولتیست خرّم و خوش خسروی کریم
یا رب ز چشمْ زخمِ زمانش نگاه دار
Drink wine to verse that I, your servant, sing
to grace your cup, O pearl-adorned King.
مِی خور به شعرِ بنده که زیبی دگر دهد
جامِ مُرَصَّعِ تو بدین دُرِّ شاهوار
If dawn-meals pass, the morning cup is near
wine breaks the fast for those who hold Love dear.
گر فوت شد سَحور چه نقصان صَبوح هست
از مِی کنند روزه گشا طالبانِ یار
Since Your forgiveness veils our every sin
accept this coin, though counterfeit and thin.
زانجا که پرده پوشیِ عفوِ کریمِ توست
بر قلب ما ببخش که نقدیست کم عیار
I fear on Judgment Day they'll ride abreast
the Sheikh's beads and the Drunkard's tattered vest.
ترسم که روزِ حشر عِنان بر عِنان رَوَد
تسبیحِ شیخ و خرقهٔ رندِ شرابخوار
Hafez, the Fast is gone, the Rose departs
drink wine, for work has slipped from weary hearts.
حافظ چو رفت روزه و گل نیز می‌رود
ناچار باده نوش که از دستْ رفتْ کار
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem celebrates a feast and contains reflection. The reference to Jamshid adds cultural depth. The verse about fearing that on 'the day of resurrection, rein on rein goes' for 'the rosary of the sheikh and the cloak of the libertine' is a profound statement. The observation that when 'the fast and the rose go', one must 'drink wine' because 'work went from the hand' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of celebration and reflection makes it very engaging.
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