Poem #260
English Translation
Persian
O Cypress of Coquetry, walking so free
lovers have a hundred needs for thee.
ای سروِ نازِ حُسن که خوش می‌روی به ناز
عُشّاق را به نازِ تو هر لحظه صد نیاز
Blessed be your face! For Fate, with art divine
cut Coquetry's robe to fit that form of thine.
فرخنده باد طلعتِ خوبت که در ازل
بُبْریده‌اند بر قدِ سَرْوَت قبایِ ناز
He who desires the scent of your dark hair
must burn like aloes in the fire of care.
آن را که بویِ عَنبر زلفِ تو آرزوست
چون عود گو بر آتشِ سودا بسوز و ساز
The moth consumes its heart in candle-fire
but I melt without the light of my desire.
پروانه را ز شمع بُوَد سوزِ دل، ولی
بی شمعِ عارضِ تو دلم را بُوَد گداز
The Sufi who repented of the wine
broke his vow when he saw the tavern sign.
صوفی که بی تو توبه ز مِی کرده بود، دوش
بِشْکَست عهد، چون درِ میخانه دید باز
The rival's taunts can't change my golden state
even if the shears of Fate should seal my fate.
از طعنهٔ رقیب نگردد عیارِ من
چون زر اگر برَند مرا درِ دهانِ گاز
The heart that circles round your holy street
seeks no Hejaz, nor other calm retreat.
دل کز طوافِ کعبهٔ کویت وقوف یافت
از شوقِ آن حریم ندارد سرِ حجاز
Why wash with tears? My prayer is not aright
without the mihrab of your eyebrows' light.
هر دَم به خونِ دیده چه حاجت وضو؟
چو نیست بی طاقِ ابروی تو نمازِ مرا جواز
When wine foamed up and danced within the jar
Hafez heard secrets from the Saki afar.
چون باده باز بر سرِ خُم رفت کف زنان
حافظ که دوش از لبِ ساقی شَنید راز
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses devotion and contains cultural references. The verse about the heart that reached 'stopping from the circumambulation of the Kaaba of your quarter' not having 'the head of Hejaz from the longing of that sanctuary' is a powerful statement. The observation that prayer is not permitted 'without the arch of your eyebrow' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of devotion and cultural references makes it very engaging.
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