Poem #345
English Translation
Persian
Without you, Walking Cypress, what is the rose to me?
What use the hyacinth's curl, or lily's face to see?
بی تو ای سروِ روان، با گل و گلشن چه کنم؟
زلفِ سنبل چه کشَم عارضِ سوسن چه کنم؟
Alas, the spiteful kept your face from view
my heart is steel, not glass—what can I do?
آه کز طعنهٔ بدخواه ندیدم رویت
نیست چون آینه‌ام روی ز آهن، چه کنم؟
Go, preacher! Blame not those who drink the dregs
Fate wrote this script—who hears the man who begs?
برو ای ناصِح و بر دردکشان خرده مگیر
کارفرمایِ قَدَر می‌کند این، من چه کنم؟
When jealousy's lightning strikes from the unseen
tell me, burnt harvest, what does this ruin mean?
برقِ غیرت چو چُنین می‌جَهَد از مَکمَنِ غیب
تو بفرما که منِ سوخته خرمن چه کنم؟
The Turkic King approved, then cast me in the well
without Rustam's grace, I live in this hell.
شاهِ تُرکان چو پسندید و به چاهم انداخت
دستگیر ار نشود لطفِ تَهَمتَن چه کنم؟
If Sinai's fire lights not my lamp tonight
how shall I pass this dark and terrified night?
مددی گر به چراغی نکند آتشِ طور
چارهٔ تیره‌شبِ وادی ایمن چه کنم؟
Hafez, your heritage is Eden's blest domain
why linger in this ruin, amidst the dust and pain?
حافظا خُلدِبَرین خانهٔ موروثِ من است
اندر این منزلِ ویرانه نشیمن چه کنم؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses helplessness and longing. The repeated structure of 'what may I do?' creates a powerful sense of desperation. The verse about the 'king of the Turks' approving and throwing Hafez 'to the well' and asking 'what may I do if the grace of the beloved does not become hand-hold' is a powerful statement. The reference to the fire of Tur adds biblical depth. The poem's combination of helplessness and longing makes it very engaging.
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