Poem #279
English Translation
Persian
How pleasant is Shiraz and its peerless state
O Lord, preserve it from decline.
خوشا شیراز و وضعِ بی‌مثالش
خداوندا نگه دار از زَوالش
A hundred praises to our Ruknabad
whose clear water grants the life of Khizr.
ز رکن‌آباد ما صد لوحش الله
که عمرِ خضر می‌بخشد زلالش
Between Ja'farabad and the Musalla
its north wind comes laden with ambergris scent.
میانِ جعفرآباد و مُصَلّا
عبیرآمیز می‌آید شِمالش
Come to Shiraz and seek the grace of the Holy Spirit
from its people of perfection.
به شیراز آی و فیضِ روحِ قدسی بجوی
از مردمِ صاحب‌کمالش
Who brought the name of Egyptian sugar there?
For its sweet ones gave it no shame.
که نامِ قندِ مصری برد آنجا؟
که شیرینان ندادند اِنفِعالش
O morning breeze, what news do you have of that playful, intoxicated gypsy?
How is he?
صبا زان لولیِ شنگولِ سرمست
چه داری آگهی؟ چون است حالش؟
If that sweet boy sheds my blood, O heart
make it lawful like mother's milk.
گر آن شیرین‌پسر خونم بریزد
دلا چون شیرِ مادر کن حلالش
For God's sake, do not wake me from sleep
for I have a pleasant privacy with his image.
مکن از خواب بیدارم خدا را
که دارم خلوتی خوش با خیالش
Why, Hafez, when you feared separation
did you not give thanks for the days of union?
چرا حافظ چو می‌ترسیدی از هجر
نکردی شُکرِ ایامِ وصالش؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem is a beautiful tribute to Shiraz. The references to Ruknabad, Ja'farabad, and the prayer-place add geographical depth. The verse about the 'north wind' coming 'perfume-mixing between Ja'farabad and the prayer-place' is a striking image. The observation that Hafez has 'a pleasant privacy with the image' and asking not to be 'awakened from sleep' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of love for place and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
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