Poem #408
English Translation
Persian
O Sun, who holds the mirror up to catch your beauty's grace!
O blackest musk, the censer-smoke that wreathes your lovely face!
ای آفتاب آینه دار جمال تو
مشک سیاه مجمره گردان خال تو
I washed the courtyard of my eye with tears, but all in vain;
This narrow nook cannot contain your image's vast train.
صحن سرای دیده بشستم ولی چه سود
کـ این گوشه نیست درخور خیل خیال تو
O King of Beauty, high in state, in pride and coquetry,
God grant your reign may never fade through all eternity!
در اوج ناز و نعمتی ای پادشاه حسن
یا رب مباد تا به قیامت زوال تو
No artist's hand has ever drawn a form more fair and true
Than the dark arch your eyebrow makes, with musk of blackest hue.
مطبوعتر ز نقش تو صورت نبست باز
طغرانویس ابروی مشکین مثال تو
How fares my poor and tangled heart within her curling hair?
The morning breeze has told the world the tale of my despair.
در چین زلفش ای دل مسکین چگونه‌ای
کآشفته گفت باد صبا شرح حال تو
The scent of roses fills the air; come through the door of peace!
O fresh new Spring of our delight, let winter's sorrow cease!
برخاست بوی گل ز در آشتی درآی
ای نوبهار ما رخ فرخنده فال تو
As long as Heaven's ear is ringed with stars that shine and glow,
Where is a curve to match the arch of your bright eyebrow's bow?
تا آسمان ز حلقه به گوشان ما شود
کو عشوه‌ای ز ابروی همچون هلال تو
That I may greet my Fortune fair, and offer thanks and praise,
Where is the news of Union's feast to brighten all my days?
تا پیش بخت بازروم تهنیت کنان
کو مژده‌ای ز مقدم عید وصال تو
This black point in the center set, round which the light revolves,
Is but a shadow of your mole, which all my soul dissolves.
این نقطه سیاه که آمد مدار نور عکسیست
در حدیقه بینش ز خال تو
What tale of cruelty shall I bring before the Royal Throne?
My own unending neediness, or your weary heart of stone?
در پیش شاه عرض کدامین جفا کنم
شرح نیازمندی خود یا ملال تو
Hafez, within this silken snare, proud heads lie low and still;
Brew not a vain and crooked thought; it is not by your will.
حافظ در این کمند سر سرکشان بسیست
سودای کج مپز که نباشد مجال تو
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses praise and plea. The verse about the 'black musk being the censer turning the mole' and the 'sun being the mirror-holder of beauty' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez asks 'which cruelty may I do in the presence of the king' - 'the explanation of my neediness or your weariness' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of praise and plea makes it very engaging.