Poem #278
English Translation
Persian
I want a bitter wine whose strength strikes down men
that I may rest for a breath from the world's evil and uproar.
شرابِ تلخ می‌خواهم که مردافکن بُوَد زورش
که تا یک دَم بیاسایم ز دنیا و شر و شورش
The table of this base-nurturing age holds no honey of comfort
O heart, wash the taste of greed from its bitter and salt.
سِماطِ دَهرِ دون‌پرور ندارد شهدِ آسایش
مَذاقِ حرص و آز ای دل، بشو از تلخ و از شورَش
Bring wine, for one cannot be safe from the sky's trickery
with the play of Venus's harp and Mars's sword.
بیاور مِی که نَتْوان شد ز مکرِ آسمان ایمن
به لَعبِ زهرهٔ چنگیّ و مرّیخِ سلحشورش
Cast aside Bahram's hunting lasso and take up Jamshid's cup
for I have traversed this desert—there is neither Bahram nor his onager.
کمندِ صیدِ بهرامی بیفکن، جامِ جم بردار
که من پیمودم این صحرا، نه بهرام است و نه گورش
Come, and I will show you the secret of the times in clear wine
on condition that you do not show it to the blind-hearted.
بیا تا در مِی صافیت رازِ دَهر بِنْمایم
به شرطِ آن که نَنْمایی به کج‌طبعانِ دل‌کورش
To glance at dervishes is not contrary to greatness
Solomon, with all his majesty, had eyes for the ant.
نظر کردن به درویشان مُنافیِّ بزرگی نیست
سلیمان با چُنان حشمت، نظرها بود با مورش
The Beloved's eyebrow-bow does not turn away from Hafez
but laughter comes to her at his weak arm.
کمانِ ابرویِ جانان نمی‌پیچد سر از حافظ
ولیکن خنده می‌آید، بدین بازویِ بی‌زورش
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains cultural references and profound statements. The reference to Bahram and Ghor adds historical depth. The verse about Solomon having 'glances with the ant' despite 'such majesty' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez traveled 'this desert' and it is 'not Bahram and not Ghor' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of cultural references and wisdom makes it very engaging.