Poem #353
English Translation
Persian
I’ll not repent of Love or Wine again
a hundred vows I broke, and now I see it plain.
من ترکِ عشقِ شاهد و ساغر نمی‌کنم
صد بار توبه کردم و دیگر نمی‌کنم
The Tuba tree, the Palace, the Garden of the Blest
are dust compared to where my Friend's feet rest.
باغِ بهشت و سایهٔ طوبی و قصر و حور
با خاکِ کوی دوست برابر نمی‌کنم
One hint suffices for the wise to understand
I spoke a word, no repetition I demand.
تلقین و درسِ اهل نظر یک اشارت است
گفتم کِنایتی و مکرر نمی‌کنم
I never find myself, or know my own true head
until within the tavern's hall my steps are led.
هرگز نمی‌شود ز سرِ خود خبر مرا
تا در میانِ میکده سر بَر نمی‌کنم
The critic scolds: 'Abandon Love and be at peace!'
Brother, I need no war; let these vain counsels cease.
ناصِح به طَعن گفت که رو ترکِ عشق کن
محتاجِ جنگ نیست برادر، نمی‌کنم
My piety is this: I flirt with beauties fair
but not upon the pulpit, in the public air.
این تقوی‌ام تمام، که با شاهدانِ شهر
ناز و کرشمه بر سرِ منبر نمی‌کنم
Hafez, the Magian's door is Fortune's true abode
I'll never leave the dust of this enchanted road.
حافظ جنابِ پیرِ مُغان جایِ دولت است
من تَرکِ خاک‌بوسیِ این در نمی‌کنم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses determination and devotion. The verse about not doing 'the leaving of the love of the witness and the cup' even though 'a hundred times repentance' was done is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez doesn't 'make equal the garden of paradise and the shadow of Tuba and the palace and the houris with the earth of the quarter of the friend' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of determination and devotion makes it very engaging.
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