Poem #346
English Translation
Persian
I am not one to leave the Cup or Love's embrace
the censor knows I rarely quit this grace.
من نه آن رندم که تَرکِ شاهد و ساغر کنم
محتسب داند که من این کارها کمتر کنم
I, who have often mocked the penitent's way
would be a fool to repent in the month of May.
من که عیبِ توبهکاران کرده باشم بارها
توبه از مِی وقتِ گُل دیوانه باشم گر کنم
Love is a pearl, the sea the tavern's deep
I plunged, and now within its depths I sleep.
عشق دردانهست و من غَوّاص و دریا میکده
سر فروبُردم در آن جا تا کجا سر بَرکُنم
The tulip holds the cup, narcissus drunk with wine
and yet they call this holy state a sin of mine?
لاله ساغرگیر و نرگس مست و بر ما نامِ فِسق
داوری دارم بسی یا رب، که را داور کنم؟
Rein in your steed, O Turk of chaos and grace
that I may pave with gold and pearls your path and place.
بازکَش یک دَم عِنان ای تُرکِ شهرآشوبِ من
تا ز اشک و چهره راهت پُر زر و گوهر کنم
I who possess such treasures from my weeping eyes
why should I envy the sun that rules the skies?
من که از یاقوت و لَعلِ اشک دارم گنجها
کِی نظر در فیضِ خورشیدِ بلنداختر کنم
When the breeze washed the roses with grace so free
call me unjust if I look at the book and see.
چون صبا مجموعهٔ گل را به آبِ لطف شست
کج دلم خوان، گر نظر بر صفحهٔ دفتر کنم
The wheel of fate keeps no promise, true or just
my pact is with the Cup, in Wine I place my trust.
عهد و پیمانِ فلک را نیست چندان اعتبار
عهد با پیمانه بندم، شرط با ساغَر کُنم
I hold a kingdom's treasure in my beggar's hand
why should I court the favor of this dust-born land?
من که دارم در گدایی گنجِ سلطانی به دست
کِی طمع در گردشِ گردونِ دونپَرور کنم
Though dust of poverty upon my robe may cling
shame on me if I wash it in the sun's bright spring.
گر چه گَردآلودِ فقرم، شرم باد از همتم
گر به آبِ چشمهٔ خورشید دامن تَر کنم
If the Friend's grace approves the fire for those who burn
narrow of sight am I, if to Kawthar's spring I turn.
عاشقان را گر در آتش میپسندد لطفِ دوست
تنگ چشمم گر نظر در چشمهٔ کوثر کنم
Last night her ruby lip gave a promise sweet to me
but I am not the fool to trust such fantasy.
دوش لعلش عشوهای میداد حافظ را، ولی
من نه آنم کز وی این افسانهها باور کنم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses self-awareness and wisdom. The verse about being 'a diver' and 'the sea is the wine-house' and asking 'until where may I raise head' after lowering it is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez has 'treasures from ruby and pearl of tears' is a striking image. The reference to Kawthar adds cultural depth. The poem's combination of self-awareness and wisdom makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"My heart is leaving my hands—O wise-hearted ones, for God's sake! **** Alas, that the hidden secret will become manifest"
"O Sufi, come, for the cup is a clear mirror, **** so that you may see the clarity of the ruby-colored wine"
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"
"Don't seek obedience and covenant and righteousness from me, the drunk **** for I became famous for cup-measuring on the..."