Poem #273
English Translation
Persian
If you are a compassionate friend and true to your covenant
be a companion in the house, the bath, and the garden.
اگر رفیقِ شفیقی، درست پیمان باش
حریفِ خانه و گرمابه و گلستان باش
Do not give the curl of your disheveled tress to the wind
do not say to the lovers' hearts: 'Be disheveled!'
شِکَنجِ زلفِ پریشان به دستِ باد مده
مگو که خاطرِ عُشّاق، گو پریشان باش
If you desire to be a companion of Khizr
be hidden from Alexander's eye like the water of life.
گَرَت هواست که با خِضْر هم‌نشین باشی
نهان ز چشمِ سِکَندَر چو آبِ حیوان باش
To sing from the psalter of love is not the work of every bird
come and be the fresh rose of this ghazal-singing nightingale.
زبورِ عشق نوازی نه کارِ هر مرغی است
بیا و نوگُلِ این بلبلِ غزل‌خوان باش
Leave the path of service and the manner of servitude to God
be with us and the Sultan.
طریقِ خدمت و آیینِ بندگی کردن
خدای را که رها کن، به ما و سلطان باش
Do not draw your sword again to hunt in the sanctuary, beware
and be regretful of what you have done to our heart.
دگر به صیدِ حرم تیغ برمکش، زنهار
وز آن که با دلِ ما کرده‌ای پشیمان باش
You are the candle of the assembly; become one-tongued and one-hearted
see the moth's effort and be laughing.
تو شمعِ انجمنی، یک‌زبان و یک‌دل شو
خیال و کوششِ پروانه بین و خندان باش
The perfection of charm and beauty lies in the play of glances
be among the rare ones of the age in the art of looking.
کمالِ دل‌بری و حُسن در نظربازی است
به شیوهٔ نظر، از نادرانِ دوران باش
Be silent, Hafez, and do not lament the Friend's oppression
who told you to be bewildered by a beautiful face?
خموش حافظ و از جورِ یار ناله مکن
تو را که گفت که در رویِ خوب، حیران باش؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains advice and cultural references. The reference to Khizr and Alexander adds mythological depth. The verse about being 'hidden from the eye of Alexander, like the water of life' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'the perfection of heart-taking and beauty is in glance-play' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of advice and cultural references makes it very engaging.