Poem #268
English Translation
Persian
From the world's rose-garden, a rose-cheeked one is enough for us
from this meadow, the shadow of that flowing cypress is enough.
گُلعِذاری ز گلستانِ جهان ما را بس
زین چمن سایهٔ آن سروِ روان ما را بس
Far be it from me to keep company with hypocrites
from the heavy ones of the world, a heavy goblet is enough for us.
من و همصحبتیِ اهلِ ریا دورَم باد
از گرانانِ جهان، رَطلِ گران ما را بس
They grant the palace of Paradise as a reward for deeds
but for us, beggars and libertines, the Magian temple is enough.
قصرِ فردوس به پاداشِ عمل می‌بخشند
ما که رندیم و گدا، دیرِ مُغان ما را بس
Sit by the stream's edge and watch life pass by
for this sign of the fleeting world is enough for us.
بنشین بر لبِ جوی و گذرِ عمر ببین
کاین اشارت ز جهانِ گذران، ما را بس
Look at the world's market—its cash and its harm
if this profit and loss is not enough for you, it is enough for us.
نقدِ بازارِ جهان بِنگر و آزارِ جهان
گر شما را نه بس این سود و زیان ما را بس
The Friend is with us, what need to seek for more?
The fortune of that Soul-Companion's conversation is enough for us.
یار با ماست، چه حاجت که زیادت طلبیم؟
دولتِ صحبتِ آن مونسِ جان ما را بس
O God, do not send me from Your door to Paradise
for the corner of Your street is enough for us of all time and space.
از درِ خویش خدا را به بهشتم مَفرست
که سرِ کویِ تو از کون و مکان ما را بس
Hafez, to complain of destiny's portion is unjust
a nature like water and flowing ghazals are enough for us.
حافظ از مَشْرَبِ قسمت گِلِه ناانصافیست
طبعِ چون آب و غزل‌هایِ روان ما را بس
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most profound poems about contentment. The repeated structure of 'to us, enough' creates a powerful sense of satisfaction. The verse about not being sent 'to paradise from the door' because 'the head of your quarter' is 'enough from existence and place' is a profound statement. The observation that 'the friend is with us' and asking 'what need that we seek more' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of contentment and wisdom makes it extremely engaging.