Poem #324
English Translation
Persian
Though a knot from those tresses tangled my affairs entire
I keep my eyes set on the grace I still desire.
گرچه افتاد ز زلفش گرهی در کارم
همچُنان چشمِ گشاد از کَرَمَش می‌دارم
Don't mistake my flushed cheeks for joy's sweet fire
like the cup, they show my heart's blood in the mire.
به طَرَب حمل مَکُن سرخیِ رویم
که چو جام خونِ دل عکس برون می‌دهد از رخسارم
The musician's veil will slip from my grasp, I fear
alas, if in this curtain I find no shelter here.
پردهٔ مطربم از دست برون خواهد برد
آه اگر زان که در این پرده نباشد بارم
I guard the heart's sanctuary through the endless night
allowing in this veil no thought but yours in sight.
پاسبانِ حرمِ دل شده‌ام شب همه شب
تا در این پرده جز اندیشه او نَگْذارم
I am that sorcerer-poet whose enchanted words impart
rain of sugar and sweetness from my pen's art.
منم آن شاعرِ ساحر که به افسونِ سخن
از نِیِ کِلک، همه قند و شِکَر می‌بارم
Fortune's eye sleeps, lost in the Beloved's tale
where is the breeze of grace to wake me from this veil?
دیدهٔ بخت به افسانهٔ او شد در خواب
کو نسیمی ز عنایت که کُنَد بیدارم؟
When I cannot glimpse you passing, dearest Friend
to whom can I turn to send a message you might send?
چون تو را در گذر ای یار نمی‌یارم دید
با که گویم که بگوید سخنی با یارم؟
Last night they said Hafez is all pretense and guise
but save your threshold's dust, where else does my commerce rise?
دوش می‌گفت که حافظ همه روی است و ریا
بجز از خاکِ درش با که بُوَد بازارم؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses devotion and self-awareness. The verse about being 'the guard of the sanctuary of the heart all night' and not leaving 'except the thought of it in this curtain' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez is 'that magician poet' who rains 'all sugar and sweet from the reed of the pen with the spell of word' is a striking image. The poem's combination of devotion and self-awareness makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"O Cupbearer, circulate the cup and pass it, for love seemed easy at first but difficulties arose."
"If that Turk of Shiraz takes my heart in hand, **** I will give Samarkand and Bukhara for his Hindu mole."
"To the courtiers of the sultan, who will deliver this prayer? **** That in gratitude for kingship, do not drive the begg..."
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"