Poem #41
English Translation
Persian
Though wine brings joy and the breeze scatters roses fair
drink not to the harp's song—the censor's watchful stare!
اگر چه باده فَرَح بخش و باد گُل‌بیز است
به بانگِ چَنگ مخور مِی که مُحتَسِب تیز است
If flask and friend should fall into your hand tonight
drink wisely, for these days stir trouble left and right.
صُراحی‌ای و حریفی گَرَت به چَنگ افتد
به عقل نوش که ایام فتنه انگیز است
Hide the cup within your patched cloak's gathered fold
like the flask's red eye, Fate sheds blood so cold.
در آستینِ مُرَقَع پیاله پنهان کن
که همچو چشمِ صُراحی، زمانه خونریز است
Let us wash our cloaks from wine with tears we cry
for this is piety's season, and abstinence is nigh.
به آبِ دیده بشوییم خِرقه‌ها از می
که موسمِ وَرَع و روزگارِ پرهیز است
Seek not sweet joy from Heaven's upside-down rotation
the wine-jar's clearest wine is mixed with bitter ration.
مجوی عیشِ خوش از دورِ باژگونِ سِپِهر
که صاف این سر خُم جمله دُردی آمیز است
The Heavens are a blood-stained pearl-string that has passed
its scattered beads: Khusrow's head, Parviz's crown at last.
سپهر بر شده پرویزنی‌ست خون افشان
که ریزه‌اش سر کَسری و تاجِ پرویز است
You've conquered Iraq and Fars with poetry so sweet
now come! Baghdad's turn and Tabriz's time we greet.
عراق و فارس گرفتی به شعرِ خوش حافظ
بیا که نوبتِ بغداد و وقتِ تبریز است
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains practical advice about drinking wine discreetly in times of censorship, which may resonate with readers familiar with oppressive regimes. The references to historical Persian kings (Khusrow, Parviz) add cultural depth. The verse about the heavens being a 'blood-shedding pearl-string' is a striking image of time's cruelty. The final verse's claim about conquering regions with poetry is bold and shows the poet's confidence. The poem's mix of caution and celebration, plus its historical references, makes it engaging.