Poem #387
English Translation
Persian
The King of the graceful cypress-forms, the Sovereign of sweet lips
whose lashes shatter the ranks of the boldest hearts...
شاه شمشادقدان خسرو شیرین‌دهنان
که به مژگان شکند قلب همه صف‌شکنان
Passed by me, the dervish, drunk with wine, and cast a glance
saying: 'O eye and lamp of all who speak with sweetness...'
مست بگذشت و نظر بر من درویش انداخت
گفت ای چشم و چراغ همه شیرین‌سخنان
'How long will your purse be empty of silver and gold?
Become my servant, and enjoy the wealth of all the silver-bodied ones.'
تا کی از سیم و زرت کیسه تهی خواهد بود
بنده من شو و برخور ز همه سیمتنان
'You are no less than a mote of dust; do not be humble
practice love, and spiral upward to the sun's private chamber.'
کمتر از ذره نه‌ای پست مشو مهر بورز
تا به خلوتگه خورشید رسی چرخ‌زنان
'Do not rely upon the world; if you hold a cup of wine
drink to the joy of the Venus-browed and the delicate of limb.'
بر جهان تکیه مکن ور قدحی مِی داری
شادی زهره‌جبینان خور و نازک‌بدنان
My wine-drinking Elder—may his soul be blessed—said
'Avoid the company of those who break their vows.'
پیر پیمانه‌کش من که روانش خوش باد
گفت پرهیز کن از صحبت پیمان‌شکنان
'Grasp the hem of the Friend's robe, and sever ties with the foe
become a man of God, and walk free from the demons' snare.'
دامن دوست به دست آر و ز دشمن بگسل
مرد یزدان شو و فارغ گذر از اهرمنان
At dawn, I asked the morning breeze in the tulip garden
'Who are these martyrs, shrouded in their own blood?'
با صبا در چمن لاله سحر می‌گفتم
که شهیدانِ که‌اند این همه خونین‌کفنان
He replied: 'Hafez, neither you nor I know this secret
speak only of ruby wine and sweet-lipped beauties.'
گفت حافظ من و تو محرم این راز نه‌ایم
از می لعل حکایت کن و شیرین‌دهنان
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses advice and wisdom. The verse about the beloved telling Hafez to 'become the servant of mine and enjoy from all silver-bodied ones' is a powerful statement. The observation that the elder tells Hafez to 'beware from the conversation of the covenant-breaking ones' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of advice and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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