Poem #288
English Translation
Persian
By the stream, beneath the willow, with a poem and a friend
A sweet companion and a cup, what joy can this transcend?
کنارِ آب و پایِ بید و طبعِ شعر و یاری خوش
معاشر دلبری شیرین و ساقی گُلعِذاری خوش
O lucky star, who knows the worth of every passing hour
May this delight be yours to keep, this pleasant time and bower.
الا ای دولتی طالع، که قدرِ وقت می‌دانی
گوارا بادَت این عِشرت که داری روزگاری خوش
Whoever bears the burden of a love that's true and deep
Burn incense for his happy state, and let him vigil keep.
هر آن کس را که در خاطر ز عشقِ دلبری باریست
سِپندی گو بر آتش نِه، که دارد کار و باری خوش
I deck the bride of Poetry with thoughts as fresh as dew
Hoping that Fate may grant to me a beauty fair and true.
عروسِ طَبع را زیور ز فکرِ بِکر می‌بندم
بُوَد کز دستِ ایّامَم به دست اُفتَد نگاری خوش
Prize well this night of fellowship, let joy and mirth increase
For moonlight floods the tulip-fields with beauty and with peace.
شبِ صحبت غنیمت دان و دادِ خوشدلی بِسْتان
که مهتابی دل‌افروز است و طَرْفِ لاله‌زاری خوش
The wine is in the eye's deep cup, no need for Saki's art
It drugs the mind but leaves a sweet intoxication in the heart.
مِیی در کاسهٔ چشم است ساقی را بِنامیزد
که مستی می‌کند با عقل و می‌بخشد خُماری خوش
Your life has passed in idleness; come, Hafez, to the wine
Where playful beauties teach a trade that's pleasant and divine.
به غفلت عمر شُد حافظ، بیا با ما به میخانه
که شنگولانِ خوش باشت، بیاموزند کاری خوش
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses joy and contentment. The repeated structure of 'pleasant' creates a powerful sense of happiness. The verse about knowing 'the value of time' and having 'a pleasant time' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'intoxication does with intellect and gives a pleasant hangover' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of joy and wisdom makes it very engaging.