Poem #298
English Translation
Persian
A safe retreat, a cup of wine, a friend both kind and true
If these are yours continually, what fortune smiles on you!
مقامِ امن و مِیِ بی‌غَش و رَفیقِ شَفیق
گَرَت مُدام مُیَسَّر شود زِهی توفیق
The world and all its busy works are nothing built on naught
A thousand times I've proved this truth, by bitter lesson taught.
جهان و کارِ جهان جمله هیچ بَر هیچ است
هزار بار من این نکته کرده‌ام تحقیق
Alas for me! Until this hour I did not comprehend
That the Alchemy of Happiness is just to have a friend.
دریغ و دَرد که تا این زمان ندانستم
که کیمیایِ سعادت، رَفیق بود رَفیق
Seek out a sanctuary safe, and prize each moment dear
For bandits lurk in ambush where the path of life is clear.
به مَأمَنی رو و فرصت شِمُر غنیمتِ وقت
که در کمینگهِ عُمرَند، قاطِعانِ طَریق
Come, for to shun the ruby lip and the cup's laughter bright
Is folly that no intellect can sanction as the right.
بیا که توبه ز لَعلِ نگار و خندهٔ جام
حکایتیست که عقلش نمی‌کُنَد تَصدیق
Although your waist is slenderer than a hair of Mani's art
The thought of such a subtle point brings joy unto my heart.
اگر چه مویِ میانَت به چُون مَنی نَرِسَد
خوش است خاطرم از فکرِ این خیالِ دَقیق
The sweetness in the dimpled well of your chin so fair and deep
Is deeper than a thousand thoughts that sages ever keep.
حلاوتی که تو را در چَهِ زَنَخدان است
به کُنهِ آن نَرِسَد صد هزار فکرِ عمیق
What wonder if my tears run red like carnelian stone
Your ruby lip's seal is the cause, and yours, my love, alone.
اگر به رنگِ عقیقی شد اشکِ من، چه عجب؟
که مُهرِ خاتَمِ لَعلِ تو هست همچو عقیق
He laughed and said: 'Hafez, I am the servant of your wit!'
See how he mocks me with his praise, and makes a joke of it!
به خنده گفت که حافظ غلامِ طبعِ توام
ببین که تا به چه حَدَّم همی‌کُنَد تَحمیق
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains profound statements about happiness and friendship. The verse about 'the alchemy of happiness' being 'friend was, friend' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'a hundred thousand deep thoughts will not reach the depth' of 'the sweetness in the well of the chin' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of wisdom and emotional expression makes it very engaging.