Poem #344
English Translation
Persian
A lifetime spent in search, step after step I tread
seeking a good name, where has my journey led?
عمریست تا من در طلب، هر روز گامی می‌زنم
دستِ شفاعت هر زمان در نیک نامی می‌زنم
Without my sun-bright Moon, how can I pass the day?
I set a trap, but catch my own heart in the fray.
بی ماهِ مِهرافروزِ خود، تا بُگذَرانَم روزِ خود
دامی به راهی می‌نهم، مرغی به دامی می‌زنم
Where is the throne, the rose-face, the vow of truth?
I stake it all on love, in reckless youth.
اورنگ کو؟ گُلچهر کو؟ نقشِ وفا و مِهر کو؟
حالی من اندر عاشقی، داوِ تمامی می‌زنم
Hoping to find news of that Cypress tall
I sing love's anthem to the winds that call.
تا بو که یابم آگهی از سایهٔ سَروِ سَهی
گلبانگِ عشق از هر طرف، بر خوش خرامی می‌زنم
Though my Heart's Ease grants not my heart's desire
I draw her image and fan the hopeful fire.
هرچند کـ آن آرامِ دل، دانم نبخشد کامِ دل
نقشِ خیالی می‌کشم، فالِ دوامی می‌زنم
I know this grief will end, this tale will bloom
through these blood-scattering sighs that pierce the gloom.
دانم سر آرد غُصِّه را، رنگین برآرد قِصِّه را
این آهِ خون افشان که من، هر صبح و شامی می‌زنم
Though absent from Him, and like Hafez, dry of wine
I still toast the spirit in a world divine.
با آن که از وی غایبم، وز مِی چو حافظ تایبم
در مجلسِ روحانیان، گَه گاه جامی می‌زنم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses seeking and longing. The verse about striking 'the bet complete in love' and asking 'where is the throne, where is the rose-face, where is the design of fidelity and love' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez knows 'the comfort of the heart does not give the desire of the heart' but still draws 'the design of the image' and strikes 'the omen of permanence' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of seeking and longing 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"