Poem #327
English Translation
Persian
I have a covenant with my Beloved, lasting while my soul's alive
to cherish those who love that street as my own soul I'd strive.
مرا عهدی‌ست با جانان که تا جان در بدن دارم
هوادارانِ کویش را چو جانِ خویشتن دارم
I seek the heart's serenity from that clay-lit candle's flame
my eye's radiance and heart's light from that Khotan moon I claim.
صفایِ خلوتِ خاطر از آن شمعِ چِگِل جویم
فروغِ چشم و نورِ دل از آن ماهِ خُتَن دارم
When I've achieved my heart's desire in solitude's embrace
why should I worry what critics say in the assembly's crowded space?
به کام و آرزویِ دل، چو دارم خلوتی حاصل
چه فکر از خُبثِ بدگویان، میانِ انجمن دارم؟
I have a cypress in my home—beneath its stately shadow's sweep
I need no garden cypress tall or boxwood green and deep.
مرا در خانه سروی هست کاندر سایهٔ قَدَّش
فَراغ از سروِ بستانی و شمشادِ چمن دارم
If a hundred armies of beauties ambush my poor heart's domain
praise be to God, I have an idol who breaks every chain.
گَرَم صد لشکر از خوبان به قصدِ دل کمین سازند
بِحَمْدِ الله و الْمِنَّه بُتی لشکرشِکن دارم
I boast of Solomon's seal from that ruby ring I wear
when I possess the Greatest Name, why should Ahriman cause fear?
سِزَد کز خاتمِ لَعلَش زَنَم لافِ سلیمانی
چو اسمِ اعظمم باشد، چه باک از اهرِمَن دارم؟
O wise elder, don't fault me for the tavern where I dwell
if I renounce the wine cup, I'd break my heart's vow as well.
الا ای پیرِ فرزانه، مَکُن عیبم ز میخانه
که من در تَرکِ پیمانه دلی پیمان‌شِکن دارم
For God's sake, rival, close your eyes awhile tonight
I have a hundred secret words with those silent ruby lips so bright.
خدا را ای رقیب امشب زمانی دیده بر هم نِه
که من با لَعلِ خاموشش نهانی صد سخن دارم
When I walk in my Beloved's garden of fortune, praise be to God
I crave no tulip, jasmine, or narcissus on the sod.
چو در گل‌زارِ اِقبالش خرامانم بِحَمْدِالله
نه میلِ لاله و نسرین، نه برگِ نسترن دارم
Though Hafez is infamous for his roguish libertine ways free
what care I, when in this world I have Qawam al-Din Hasan with me.
به رندی شهره شد حافظ میانِ همدمان، لیکن
چه غم دارم که در عالم قَوامُ‌الدّین حَسَن دارم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains Arabic phrases and profound statements. The verse about having 'a covenant with the beloved' to keep 'the well-wishers of its quarter like my own soul' is a powerful statement. The Arabic phrase 'Praise be to God and the favor' adds cultural depth. The observation that Hafez has 'a hundred words secretly with the silent ruby' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of Arabic phrases and emotional expression makes it very engaging.