Poem #304
English Translation
Persian
World-conqueror, Faith's Victory, the Perfect King,
Yahya bin Muzaffar, to whom the just worlds cling.
دارایِ جهان نصرتِ دین خسروِ کامل
یَحیَی بنِ مُظَفَّر مَلِکِ عالمِ عادل
O Refuge of Islam, your threshold opens wide,
A window for the soul, where hearts may safe abide.
ای درگهِ اسلام پناهِ تو گشاده
بر رویِ زمین روزنهٔ جان و دَرِ دل
Homage to you is duty for the soul and mind,
Your favor flows on all, leaving no grace behind.
تعظیمِ تو بر جان و خِرَد واجب و لازم
اِنعام تو بر کون و مکان فایض و شامل
On Creation's day, a drop from your black pen,
Fell on the moon, and solved the riddles of all men.
روزِ ازل از کِلکِ تو یک قطره سیاهی
بر رویِ مَه افتاد که شد حلِّ مسائل
The sun beheld that mole and cried with envious heart:
'Would I were that dark spot, to play so fair a part!'
خورشید چو آن خالِ سیَه دید، به دل گفت
ای کاج که من بودَمی آن هندویِ مقبل
O King, the heavens dance to your assembly's song;
Withhold not joy's bright hand, but let the mirth be strong.
شاها فلک از بزمِ تو در رقص و سَماع است
دستِ طَرَب از دامنِ این زمزمه مَگسِل
Drink wine, bestow the world! Your tresses' lasso holds
The necks of enemies within its silken folds.
مِی نوش و جهان بخش که از زلفِ کمندت
شد گردنِ بدخواه گرفتار سَلاسِل
The heavens turn on justice, rest your heart in peace;
The tyrant's path is barred, his wicked wanderings cease.
دورِ فلکی یکسَره بر مَنْهَجِ عدل است
خوش باش که ظالم نَبَرد راه به منزل
Hafez, the King's pen shares the daily bread for all;
Fear not for sustenance, nor let false worries fall.
حافظ قلمِ شاه جهان مُقسِمِ رزق است
از بهرِ معیشت مَکُن اندیشهٔ باطل
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem is a panegyric to a king (Yahya son of Muzaffar). The verse about 'one drop of black from your pen falling on the face of the moon' becoming 'the solution of problems' is a striking image. The reference to the sun saying it wishes it were 'that accepted Indian' when it saw the black mole adds cultural depth. The poem's combination of praise and imagery makes it engaging, though panegyrics may be less universally appealing than love poetry.