Poem #296
English Translation
Persian
If Fortune aids, I'll grasp His hem and hold it fast and true
What joy if I can draw Him near, what honor if He draws me too!
طالع اگر مدد دهد، دامَنَش آوَرَم به کف
گر بِکَشَم زهی طَرَب، ور بِکُشَد زهی شرف
My hopeful heart has never found a door of grace shut tight
Though tales of my unworthiness are spread by day and night.
طَرْفِ کَرَم ز کَس نَبَست، این دلِ پُر امیدِ من
گر چه سخن همی بَرَد، قصهٔ من به هر طرف
No opening came to me from the curve of your eyebrow fair
Alas, that in this crooked thought, my life was lost in air.
از خَمِ ابرویِ توام، هیچ گشایشی نشد
وَه که در این خیالِ کَج، عمرِ عزیز شد تلف
When will the Friend's arched brow become the anchor of my soul
No one has ever hit the mark from this bow's distant goal.
اَبرویِ دوست کِی شود، دَستکَشِ خیالِ من؟
کس نزده‌ست از این کمان، تیرِ مراد بر هدف
How long must I with coquetry nurse stone-hearted idols' pride
These wayward sons recall no more the father at their side.
چند به ناز پَروَرَم، مِهرِ بُتانِ سنگ‌دل
یادِ پدر نمی‌کنند، این پسرانِ ناخَلَف
I sit in ascetic solitude, a strange and lonely sight
While playful beauties strike the harp and mock my pious plight.
من به خیالِ زاهدی، گوشه‌نشین و طُرفه آن‌ک
مُغْبَچه‌ای ز هر طرف، می‌زندم به چنگ و دَف
The ascetics are unaware; read the signs and silent be
The Censor is drunk with power; pour wine and set us free!
بی‌خبرند زاهدان، نقش بخوان و لاتَقُل
مستِ ریاست محتسب، باده بده و لاتَخَف
Behold the city's Sufi, how he eats the doubtful bread
Long may his tail grow, beast that on such pleasant grass is fed!
صوفی شهر بین که چون، لقمهٔ شُبهه می‌خورد
پاردُمَش دراز باد، آن حَیَوانِ خوش علف
Hafez, if you walk the path of Truth with heart sincere and true
The spirit of Najaf's great Lord will guide and comfort you.
حافظ اگر قدم زنی، در رَهِ خاندان به صِدق
بدرقهٔ رَهَت شود، همَّتِ شَحنِهٔ نجف
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about love and devotion. The verse about 'no one struck from this bow, the arrow of desire, on the target' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez sits 'with the image of an ascetic' while 'a playful one strikes him with the harp and tambourine from every side' is a striking image. The reference to Najaf adds cultural depth. The poem's combination of devotion and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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