Poem #300
English Translation
Persian
Though a thousand enemies should seek to take my life away
If you are with me as a friend, I fear not their array.
هزار دشمنم اَر می‌کنند قصدِ هلاک
گَرَم تو دوستی از دشمنان ندارم باک
The hope of union keeps me alive, a flame within my breast
Else every breath in absence drawn would be a death at best.
مرا امیدِ وصالِ تو زنده می‌دارد
و گر نه هر دَمم از هجرِ توست بیمِ هلاک
If the wind brings not your scent with every passing breath
I tear my collar like the rose, and grieve myself to death.
نفَس‌نفَس اگر از باد نَشنوم بویش
زمان‌زمان چو گل از غم کُنم گریبان چاک
Can my eyes sleep when your bright image haunts them in the night
Can my heart bear your absence, Love? God forbid such a plight!
رَوَد به خواب، دو چشم از خیالِ تو؟ هیهات
بُوَد صبور، دل اندر فراقِ تو؟ حاشاک
A wound from you is better far than balm from other hands
Your poison sweeter than the cure that any leech commands.
اگر تو زخم زَنی، بِهْ که دیگری مَرهم
و گر تو زهر دهی، بِهْ که دیگری تریاک
To die by your sword is life eternal, this I know full well
My soul rejoices in the thought, more than tongue can tell.
بِضَربِ سَیْفِکَ قَتْلی حَیاتُنا اَبدا
لِأنَّ روحیَ قَدْ طابَ اَن یَکونَ فِداک
Turn not your rein! If you should strike, I'll make my head your shield
I have no saddle-strap but you, to whom my all I yield.
عنان مَپیچ که گر می‌زنی به شمشیرم سپر
کُنم سر و دستت ندارم از فِتراک
Who can perceive you as you are, with eyes of mortal clay?
Each sees but what his knowledge grasps, in his own limited way.
تو را چنان که تویی هر نظر کجا بیند؟
به قدرِ دانشِ خود هر کسی کند ادراک
Hafez will be the world's beloved, honored in every land
Because he laid his humble face in dust at your command.
به چشمِ خَلق، عزیزِ جهان شود حافظ
که بر درِ تو نَهد رویِ مَسکَنَت بر خاک
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This is one of Hafez's most profound poems about devotion and sacrifice. The verse containing Arabic 'with the strike of your sword, killing, our life, forever—for my soul has become pleasant, that may be sacrifice for you' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez will become 'dear of the world to the eye of the people' when he 'puts the face of humility on the earth on your door' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of devotion and sacrifice makes it extremely engaging.
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