Poem #366
English Translation
Persian
We came to this threshold not seeking rank or fame's high crest
from misfortune's storm we came, to find a place of rest.
ما بدین در نه پِیِ حشمت و جاه آمده‌ایم
از بد حادثه این جا به پناه آمده‌ایم
Pilgrims on the road of Love, from Nothingness we start
and through the realm of Being, we've journeyed to this heart.
رهروِ منزلِ عشقیم و زِ سرحدِّ عَدَم
تا به اقلیمِ وجود این همه راه آمده‌ایم
We saw the fresh down of your cheek, and left the heavenly bower
from Paradise we came to seek this single, sacred flower.
سبزهٔ خطِّ تو دیدیم و زِ بُستانِ بهشت
به طلبکاریِ این مهرگیاه آمده‌ایم
Bearing a treasure guarded by the Spirit's faithful wing
we came as beggars to the door of the palace of the King.
با چُنین گنج که شد خازنِ او روحِ امین
به گدایی به درِ خانهٔ شاه آمده‌ایم
O Ship of Grace, where is your anchor? Patience is no more
for drowned in sin we drift upon this Sea of Mercy's shore.
لنگرِ حِلمِ تو ای کشتیِ توفیق کجاست؟
که در این بحرِ کَرَم غرقِ گناه آمده‌ایم
My honor fades; O Cloud of Mercy, let your rain descend
for with a blackened record, I approach the Judgment's end.
آبرو می‌رود ای ابرِ خطاپوش ببار
که به دیوانِ عمل نامه‌سیاه آمده‌ایم
O Hafez, cast this woolly cloak of Sufi pride away
for we chase the Caravan with burning sighs along the way.
حافظ این خرقهٔ پشمینه بینداز که ما
از پِیِ قافله با آتشِ آه آمده‌ایم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses seeking refuge and humility. The verse about coming 'to this door not in pursuit of dignity and rank' but 'from bad event to refuge' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez and his companions came 'from the border of nothingness until to the region of existence all this path' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of seeking refuge and humility makes it very engaging.