Poem #376
English Translation
Persian
Friends, in the rose's season, 'tis best to seek delight
this is the Word of Sages, let's heed it with all might.
دوستان وقت گل آن به که به عشرت کوشیم
سخن اهل دل است این و به جان بنیوشیم
Since generosity is dead, and joyful days take flight
the only cure is selling prayers for wine's ruby light.
نیست در کس کرم و وقت طرب می‌گذرد
چاره آن است که سجاده به مِی بفروشیم
The air is soft and joyous; O Lord, send me a Friend
that gazing on Her lovely face, the rosy wine we blend.
خوش هوایی‌ست فرح‌بخش خدایا بفرست
نازنینی که به رویش مِی گل‌گون نوشیم
The wheel of Heaven plays a tune that robs us of our art
why should we not lament our grief, and cry with breaking heart?
ارغنون ساز فلک ره‌زن اهل هنر است
چون از این غصه ننالیم و چرا نخروشیم؟
The Rose has burst in passion, yet no wine-water we gave
so now in fires of regret and longing we must rave.
گل به جوش آمد و از مِی نزدیمش آبی
لاجرم زآتش حرمان و هوس می‌جوشیم
From the Tulip's cup we drink a wine of fancy's brew
avaunt, O Evil Eye! We're drunk without the vintage too.
می‌کشیم از قدح لاله شرابی موهوم
چشم بد دور که بی‌مطرب و مِی مدهوشیم
To whom, O Hafez, can we tell this strange and silent wrong?
That we are Nightingales, yet mute amidst the Rose's throng!
حافظ این حال عجب با که توان گفت
که ما بلبلانیم که در مُوسم گل خاموشیم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses the paradox of silence in the season of joy. The verse about being 'nightingales that are silent in the season of the rose' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez and his companions 'boil from the fire of deprivation and desire' because they 'did not give water to the rose' when it 'came to boiling' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of paradox and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"O Sufi, come, for the cup is a clear mirror, **** so that you may see the clarity of the ruby-colored wine"
"My heart and faith were lost, and the beloved arose in reproach **** saying: 'Don't sit with us, for safety has arisen f..."
"Don't seek obedience and covenant and righteousness from me, the drunk **** for I became famous for cup-measuring on the..."
"When God bound the form of your heart-opening eyebrow **** the opening of my affairs was bound within your coquetries"