Poem #303
English Translation
Persian
I caught the scent of union, saw its lightning gleam;
Come, northern breeze, I die for that sweet dream.
شَمَمتُ روحَ وِدادٍ و شِمتُ برقَ وِصال
بیا که بویِ تو را میرم ای نسیمِ شِمال
O camel-driver, halt! For love's sweet sake, descend;
My patience fails, my longing knows no end.
أَ حادیاً بجمالِ الحبیبِ قِفْ وَ انْزِل
که نیست صبرِ جمیلم ز اشتیاقِ جَمال
Best leave the tale of separation's night untold,
And thank the day that brings the union we behold.
حکایتِ شبِ هجران فروگذاشته بِهْ
به شکرِ آن که برافکند پرده روزِ وصال
Come, for the eye's seven chambers, shedding tears like rain,
Have drawn a curtain o'er the workshop of the brain.
بیا که پردهٔ گلریزِ هفت خانهٔ چشم
کَشیده‌ایم به تَحریرِ کارگاهِ خیال
Since the Beloved seeks peace and offers an excuse,
Forgive the rival's spite, and let the grievance loose.
چو یار بر سرِ صلح است و عُذر می‌طلبد
توان گذشت ز جورِ رقیب در همه حال
Within my narrow heart, your mouth's image lies;
May no one chase the impossible, as I, with sighs.
به جز خیالِ دهانِ تو نیست در دلِ تنگ
که کَس مباد چو من در پِیِ خیالِ محال
Hafez is slain by love, a stranger in the land;
Pass by his grave, for his blood stains your hand.
قَتیلِ عشقِ تو شد حافظِ غریب، ولی
به خاکِ ما گذری کن که خونِ مات حلال
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains Arabic phrases and profound statements. The verse about drawing 'the rose-pouring curtain of the seven chambers of the eye to the writing of the workshop of the image' is a striking image. The observation that Hafez became 'the killed one of your love' and asking for 'a passing on our earth' because 'the blood of the killed one is lawful' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of Arabic phrases and emotional expression makes it very engaging.