Poem #313
English Translation
Persian
Return, O Cupbearer! I long to serve you true
to bend in prayer for fortune flowing ever new.
بازآی ساقیا که هواخواهِ خدمتم
مشتاقِ بندگیّ و دعاگویِ دولتم
Since your cup's grace is joy's own radiant light
lead me from bewilderment's dark night.
زان جا که فیضِ جامِ سعادت فروغِ توست
بیرون شدی نُمای ز ظلماتِ حیرتم
Though drowned in sin's deep sea from every side
love made me kin to mercy's blessed tide.
هرچند غرقِ بحرِ گناهم ز صد جهت
تا آشِنایِ عشق شدم ز اهل رحمتم
Blame not my roguish ways and ill repute, O wise
this was my destiny from heaven's book that lies.
عیبم مکن به رندی و بدنامی ای حکیم
کاین بود سرنوشت ز دیوانِ قسمتم
Drink wine! For love's not earned by choice or skill
this gift came with my nature's birth until.
مِی خور که عاشقی نه به کسب است و اختیار
این موهبت رسید ز میراثِ فطرتم
I who never left my homeland all my days
for your love now welcome exile's wandering ways.
من کز وطن سفر نَگُزیدَم به عمرِ خویش
در عشقِ دیدن تو هواخواهِ غربتم
Seas and mountains block the way, I'm tired and frail
O blessed Khizr, help my spirit not to fail!
دریا و کوه در رَه و من خسته و ضعیف
ای خِضْرِ پِی خجسته مدد کن به همتم
Though far in body from your palace door I stay
in soul and heart, I dwell there night and day.
دورم به صورت از درِ دولتسرایِ تو
لیکن به جان و دل ز مقیمانِ حضرتم
Hafez would give his soul before your eyes to see
if life grants time for this sweet reverie.
حافظ به پیشِ چشم تو خواهد سِپُرد جان
در این خیالم اَر بدهد عمر مهلتم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses devotion and longing. The verse about being 'distant in form from the door of the fortune-house' but 'with soul and heart from the residents of the presence' is a powerful statement. The reference to Khizr adds mythological depth. The observation that 'love is not with earning and choice' but 'this gift reached from the inheritance of my nature' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of devotion and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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