Poem #285
English Translation
Persian
In the age of the King who forgives and covers every flaw
Hafez bears the flask, and the Mufti drinks by law.
در عهدِ پادشاهِ خطابخشِ جُرم‌پوش
حافظ قَرابه کَش شد و مفتی پیاله نوش
The Sufi left his cell to sit beside the wine-jar's feet
Seeing the Censor bear the flask upon the public street.
صوفی ز کُنجِ صومعه با پایِ خُم نشست
تا دید محتسب که سَبو می‌کشد به دوش
I asked the Elder of the tavern at the break of day
'What of the Sheikh, the Judge, and their secret, drunken way?'
احوالِ شیخ و قاضی و شُربُ الیَهودِشان
کردم سؤال صبحدم از پیرِ مِی‌فروش
He said: 'This is a secret that no tongue may ever tell
Though you are close, keep silent, drink, and guard the curtain well.'
گفتا نه گفتنیست سخن گرچه محرمی
دَرکَش زبان و پرده نگه دار و مِی بنوش
O Cupbearer, the Spring is here, but wine is running low
Do something, for my heart's blood boils with sorrow and with woe!
ساقی بهار می‌رسد و وجهِ مِی نماند
فکری بکن که خونِ دل آمد ز غم به جوش
Love, poverty, and youth are here, and Spring is in the air
Accept my plea, and with your grace, forgive the sins I bear.
عشق است و مفلسیّ و جوانیّ و نوبهار
عُذرم پذیر و جرم به ذیلِ کرم بپوش
How long will you, like the candle, speak with tongue of fire?
Be silent, Lover! For the Moth has come to your desire.
تا چند همچو شمع زبان آوری کنی؟
پروانهٔ مراد رسید ای مُحِب خموش
O King of form and meaning, whom no eye has ever seen
And of whose like no ear has heard, in all the worlds that have been.
ای پادشاهِ صورت و معنی که مثل تو
نادیده هیچ دیده و نشنیده هیچ گوش
Long may you reign, until your youth and fortune bright and bold
Are honored by the turning sky, that dervish ragged and old.
چندان بمان که خرقهٔ اَزْرَق کُنَد قبول
بختِ جوانَت از فلکِ پیرِ ژِنده‌پوش
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains historical references and profound statements. The verse about Hafez becoming 'the wine-flask carrier' and 'the mufti, cup-drinking' in the time of 'the fault-forgiving, crime-covering king' is a striking statement. The observation that 'the moth of desire arrived' and asking the lover to be 'silent' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of historical references and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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