Poem #410
English Translation
Persian
The royal robe fits straight and true upon your form and height;
Your noble nature gems the crown and makes the signet bright.
ای قبای پادشاهی راست بر بالای تو
زینتِ تاج و نگین از گوهرِ والای تو
The sun of victory rises new with every breath you draw,
From your imperial diadem and moon-face full of awe.
آفتاب فتح را هر دم طلوعی می‌دهد
از کلاهِ خسروی رخسارِ مه‌سیمایِ تو
Wherever your high banner casts its shadow on the ground,
The Bird of Fortune builds its nest, and joy is all around.
جلوه‌گاهِ طایرِ اقبال باشد هر کجا
سایه اندازد همایِ چترِ گردون‌سایِ تو
Though sects and scholars differ wide in wisdom and in art,
No subtle point was ever lost on your discerning heart.
از رسومِ شرع و حکمت با هزاران اختلاف
نکته‌ای هرگز نشد فوت از دلِ دانای تو
The Water of Eternal Life drops from the beak of grace
Of your sweet-talking parrot-pen, the sugar of our race.
آب حیوانش ز منقارِ بلاغت می‌چکد
طوطیِ خوش‌لهجه یعنی کلک شکّرخای تو
Although the sun in heaven's wheel is lamp and eye of day,
It borrows light to see the world from dust upon your way.
گرچه خورشیدِ فلک چشم و چراغ عالم است
روشنایی‌بخشِ چشم اوست خاک پای تو
That Draught which Alexander sought, but Fate would not bestow,
Was but a sip from your soul's cup, where living waters flow.
آن چه اسکندر طلب کرد و ندادش روزگار
جرعه‌ای بود از زلالِ جام جان‌افزای تو
We need not speak our wants aloud within your holy place;
No secret remains hid before the radiance of your face.
عرضِ حاجت در حریم حضرتت محتاج نیست
راز کس مخفی نمانَد با فروغِ رایِ تو
O King! Though Hafez's head is old, he plays the youth again,
In hope of your soul-giving grace, which washes every stain.
خسروا پیرانه‌سر حافظ جوانی می‌کند
بر امیدِ عفوِ جان‌بخشِ گنه‌فرسایِ تو
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This is a panegyric poem to a king. The poem contains extensive praise and references to the king's wisdom and justice. The verse about Alexander seeking 'a sip from the pure of the soul-increasing cup' which 'time did not give' is a powerful statement. The reference to Alexander adds historical depth. The poem's combination of praise and imagery makes it engaging, though panegyrics may be less universally appealing than love poetry.
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