Poem #272
English Translation
Persian
Return, and be the soul's companion to my constricted heart
be the intimate of hidden secrets to this burned one.
باز آی و دلِ تنگِ مرا مونس جان باش
وین سوخته را مَحرَمِ اسرارِ نهان باش
Give us two or three cups of that wine sold in the tavern of love
and say: 'Let it be Ramadan!'
زان باده که در میکدهٔ عشق فروشند
ما را دو سه ساغر بده و گو رمضان باش
You have set fire to your cloak, O traveler on the path
strive now to be the ringleader of the world's libertines.
در خرقه چو آتش زدی ای عارفِ سالِک
جهدی کن و سرحلقهٔ رندانِ جهان باش
To the Beloved who said, 'My heart is anxious for you'
say: 'I am arriving now in safety—be anxious!'
دلدار که گفتا به تواَم دل نگران است
گو می‌رسم اینک به سلامت، نگران باش
My heart has turned to blood from regret for that soul-bestowing ruby
O pearl of love, remain with that same seal and sign.
خون شد دلم از حسرتِ آن لعلِ روان‌بخش
ای دُرجِ محبت به همان مُهر و نشان باش
So that the dust of grief may not settle on Her heart
O flood of tears, flow behind this letter.
تا بر دلش از غُصّه غباری نَنِشیند
ای سیلِ سرشک از عقبِ نامه روان باش
Hafez, who desires the world-seeing cup
tell him: 'Be stationed in the view of the Asaf of Jamshid.'
حافظ که هوس می‌کندش جامِ جهان‌بین
گو در نظرِ آصفِ جمشید مکان باش
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains requests and cultural references. The verse about giving 'two or three cups' and saying 'Ramadan, be' adds cultural depth. The reference to Asaf of Jamshid adds historical depth. The observation that Hafez desires 'the world-seeing cup' and asking it to be 'in the view of Asaf of Jamshid' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of requests and cultural references makes it very engaging.