Poem #28
English Translation
Persian
By the Master's life, and ancient truth, and covenant so true
my morning prayer is but a wish for fortune upon you.
به جانِ خواجه و حقِ قدیم و عهدِ درست
که مونسِ دمِ صبحم، دعایِ دولتِ توست
My tears that from Noah's flood have carried off the prize
could not wash out your image from the tablet of my eyes.
سِرِشک من که ز طوفان نوح دست بَرَد
ز لوح سینه نیارَست نقشِ مهرِ تو شُست
Come make a trade, and buy this broken heart of mine today
for broken, it is worth a hundred thousand whole, they say.
بکن معامله‌ای، وین دل شکسته بخر
که با شکستگی ارزد به صد هزار درست
The Ant spoke to Solomon, and rightly did it sing
for the Master lost the Way, and lost the Magic Ring.
زبان مور به آصف دراز گشت و رواست
که خواجه خاتَمِ جم، یاوه کرد و باز نَجُست
O Heart, despair not of the Friend's grace infinite and free
you boasted of your love, now risk your head for all to see!
دلا طَمَع مَبُر از لطفِ بی‌نهایتِ دوست
چو لافِ عشق زدی، سر بباز، چابک و چُست
Strive in the Truth, for from your breath the Sun will rise and shine
for the First Dawn turned black with lies, and lost the light divine.
به صدق کوش، که خورشید زایَد از نَفَسَت
که از دروغ سیه‌روی گشت صبحِ نخست
I wandered mad in mountains, for the love I bear to you
yet you loosen not the chain, nor show me mercy true.
شدم ز دست تو شیدای کوه و دشت و هنوز
نمی‌کنی به ترحم، نِطاق سلسله سست
Hafez, grieve not! Seek no protection from the lovely face
what fault is in the garden, if this plant found not its place?
مرنج حافظ و از دلبر‌ان حِفاظ مجوی
گناه باغ چه باشد چو این گیاه نَرُست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem appears to be addressed to a patron (khwaja/master). The verse about tears that 'escaped from Noah's flood' not being able to wash away the image of love is a powerful image of love's permanence. The line 'with its brokenness it is worth a hundred thousand whole ones' is a beautiful expression of the value of a broken heart. The reference to Jam's ring (Solomon's ring) adds mythical resonance. The verse about truth giving birth to the sun and falsehood darkening the dawn is a memorable moral statement. The poem's mix of personal devotion and philosophical observation is engaging.
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