Poem #271
English Translation
Persian
I have such a complaint against her black tress—do not ask
for it has left me so lost and bewildered—do not ask.
دارم از زلفِ سیاهش گِلِه چندان که مَپُرس
که چُنان ز او شده‌ام بی سر و سامان که مَپُرس
Let no one abandon heart and faith in hope of fidelity
for I am so regretful of this deed—do not ask.
کَس به امّیدِ وفا ترکِ دل و دین مَکُناد
که چُنانم من از این کرده پشیمان که مپرس
For a single sip that harms no one
I bear such trouble from the ignorant—do not ask.
به یکی جرعه که آزارِ کَسَش در پِی نیست
زحمتی می‌کشم از مردمِ نادان که مپرس
O ascetic, pass us by in safety
for this ruby wine steals heart and faith in such a way—do not ask.
زاهد از ما به سلامت بگذر کـ‌این مِیِ لعل
دل و دین می‌برد از دست بدان سان که مپرس
There are sayings in this path that melt the soul
everyone raises such a clamor—see this, but do not ask that.
گفت‌وگوهاست در این راه که جان بُگْدازد
هر کسی عربده‌ای این که مبین آن که مپرس
My desire was for piety and safety
but that seductive narcissus plays such a game—do not ask.
پارسایی و سلامت هَوَسم بود، ولی
شیوه‌ای می‌کند آن نرگسِ فَتّان که مپرس
I sought to ask the state of things from the ball of heaven
it said: 'I am driven in the curve of the polo-stick—do not ask.'
گفتم از گویِ فلک صورتِ حالی پرسم
گفت آن می‌کشم اندر خمِ چوگان که مپرس
I asked: 'Whose blood have you shed, O tress?'
It replied: 'Hafez, this tale is long, by the Quran—do not ask.'
گفتمش زلف به خونِ که شکستی؟
گفتا حافظ این قصه دراز است به قرآن که مپرس
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most famous poems. The repeated structure of 'that don't ask' creates a powerful sense of unspoken suffering. The verse about the turning saying it bears something 'in the curve of the polo-stick' is a striking image. The final verse where Hafez asks whose blood the tress broke and it responds 'this tale is long, by the Quran, that don't ask' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of suffering and wisdom makes it extremely engaging.