Poem #256
English Translation
Persian
Hear my advice and make no weak excuse
accept the truth and let it be of use.
نصیحتی کُنَمَت بشنو و بهانه مَگیر
هر آنچه ناصِحِ مُشْفِق بگویَدَت بپذیر
Enjoy the company of youth so bright
for Age lies waiting in the ambush of night.
ز وصلِ رویِ جوانان تَمَتُّعی بردار
که در کمینگهِ عمر است مَکرِ عالَمِ پیر
Seek joy in both worlds while you have the chance
for this is fleeting, that a vast expanse.
نَعیم هر دو جهان پیش عاشقان بجوی
که این متاعِ قلیل است و آن عَطایِ کثیر
I want a friend, a harp, a melody
to sing my pain in low and high degree.
معاشری خوش و رودی بساز می‌خواهم
که دردِ خویش بگویم به نالهٔ بَم و زیر
I vow to leave the wine and sin no more
if Fate agrees to what I have in store.
بر آن سَرَم که نَنوشَم مِی و گُنَه نکنم
اگر موافقِ تدبیرِ من شَوَد تقدیر
Since Fate decreed our lot without our voice
accept the little that is not our choice.
چو قسمتِ ازلی بی‌حضورِ ما کردند
گر اندکی نه به وِفقِ رضاست خرده مگیر
Pour wine and musk into my tulip-cup
the Beloved's mole I summon as I sup.
چو لاله در قَدَحم ریز ساقیا مِی و مُشک
که نقشِ خالِ نگارم نمی‌رود ز ضمیر
Bring the pearl-cup, O Saki, full of grace
tell Envy: 'Die! See Asaf's generous face.'
بیار ساغرِ دُرِّ خوشاب ای ساقی حسود
گو کَرَمِ آصفی ببین و بمیر
A hundred times I vowed to leave the vine
but Saki's glance compelled me back to wine.
به عزمِ توبه نهادم قدح ز کف صد بار
ولی کرشمهٔ ساقی نمی‌کُنَد تقصیر
Two-year-old wine and a beloved of fourteen
enough for me, the small and great between.
مِی دوساله و محبوبِ چارده ساله
همین بس است مرا صُحبتِ صَغیر و کَبیر
Who captures now my wild and fleeing heart?
Tell Majnun, chained, that I too play the part.
دل رمیدهٔ ما را که پیش می‌گیرد؟
خبر دهید به مجنونِ خسته از زنجیر
Speak not of penance in this feast of glee
where Saki's eyebrow shoots its dart at me.
حدیثِ توبه در این بزمگه مگو حافظ
که ساقیان کمان ابرویَت زَنَند به تیر
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound advice. The verse about taking enjoyment 'from the union of the face of the young ones' because 'in the ambush-place of life is the trickery of the old world' is a powerful statement. The reference to Majnun adds cultural depth. The observation that Hafez put the cup from his hand 'a hundred times' with 'the intention of repentance' but 'the coquetry of the cupbearer does not do fault' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of advice and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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