Poem #381
English Translation
Persian
Although we serve the King in name and station
we rule the Kingdom of the Morning's light.
گرچه ما بندگان پادشهیم
پادشاهان ملک صبحگهیم
With empty purse but treasure in our sleeve
we are the dust of the path and the world-revealing cup.
گنج در آستین و کیسه تهی
جام گیتی‌نما و خاک رهیم
Sober in presence yet drunk with spiritual pride
we are the Sea of Unity though drowned in sin.
هوشیار حضور و مست غرور
بحر توحید و غرقهٔ گنهیم
When the Witness of Fortune displays her charm
we become the mirror to her moon-bright face.
شاهد بخت چون کرشمه کند
ما آیینه‌رخ چو مهیم
Every night for the wakeful King of Fate
we stand as guardians of the crown and helm.
شاه بیدار بخت را هر شب
ما نگهبان افسر و کلهیم
Prize our company and count it gain
for while you sleep we watch with open eyes.
گو غنیمت شمار صحبت ما
که تو در خواب و ما به دیده گهیم
King Mansur knows well the power we wield
wherever we turn the face of our resolve.
شاه منصور واقف است که ما
روی همّت به هر کجا که نهیم
We weave a shroud of blood for every foe
and cloak our friends in robes of victory.
دشمنان را ز خون کفن سازیم
دوستان را قبای فتح دهیم
No color of hypocrisy stains our soul
we are the red lion and the black viper, fierce and true.
رنگ تزویر پیش ما نبود
شیر سرخیم و افعی سیهیم
Tell them to pay the debt they owe Hafez
you have confessed and we are the witness.
وام حافظ بگو که بازدهند
کرده‌ای اعتراف و ما گوهیم
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This is a panegyric poem to a king (Mansur). The poem contains praise and references to the king's court. The verse about being 'the guard of the crown and the helmet every night' for 'the awake king of fortune' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez and his companions are 'lion, red' and 'viper, black' without 'the color of hypocrisy' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of praise and imagery makes it engaging, though panegyrics may be less universally appealing than love poetry.