Poem #338
English Translation
Persian
I love the lovely face, the heart-entrancing hair
I'm lost in drunken eyes and purest wine laid bare.
من دوستدارِ رویِ خوش و مویِ دلکَشَم
مَدهوشِ چَشمِ مست و مِیِ صافِ بی‌غَشَم
You said, 'Reveal a word from the first eternal vow'
then I'll confess how two full cups I drained just now.
گفتی ز سِرِّ عهدِ ازل یک سخن بگو
آنگَه بگویمت که دو پیمانه دَر کَشَم
A child of paradise am I, yet on this mortal quest
I'm captive to the love of moon-faced youths confessed.
من آدمِ بهشتیَم اما در این سفر
حالی اسیرِ عشقِ جوانان مَهوَشَم
In love there is no fleeing from the melting or the song
I stand like candles do, fear not my flames so strong.
در عاشقی گزیر نباشد ز ساز و سوز
اِسْتادِه‌ام چو شمع مَتَرسان ز آتشم
Shiraz is the mine of ruby lips, the treasure of delight
I'm but a bankrupt jeweler, disheveled in their sight.
شیراز معدنِ لبِ لَعل است و کانِ حُسن
من جوهریِّ مُفلِسَم ایرا مُشَوَّشَم
So many drunken eyes I've seen within this city's span
I swear I sip no wine, yet joyous still I am.
از بس که چَشمِ مست در این شهر دیده‌ام
حقّا که مِی نمی‌خورم اکنون و سَرخوشم
A city thronged with houris' charms from every side
I'd buy up every six of them if wealth with me would bide.
شهریست پُر کِرشمهٔ حوران ز شِش جهت
چیزیم نیست وَر نه خریدارِ هر شِشَم
If fortune lends me strength to haul my gear toward the Friend
houri tresses will dust my rugs before the journey's end.
بخت ار مدد دهد که کَشَم رَخت سویِ دوست
گیسویِ حور گَرد فشاند ز مَفْرَشَم
Hafez, my nature's bride yearns to unveil her sheen
yet lacking any mirror I sigh for the unseen.
حافظ عروسِ طَبعِ مرا جلوه آرزوست
آیینه‌ای ندارم از آن آه می‌کشم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses love for Shiraz and devotion. The verse about Shiraz being 'the mine of the ruby lip and the mine of beauty' while Hafez is 'a bankrupt jeweler' because 'disheveled' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez doesn't drink wine now and is 'head-joyful' because he has seen 'so many intoxicated eyes in this city' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of love for place and devotion makes it very engaging.
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