Poem #411
English Translation
Persian
Your musk-scented tress teaches the violet how to bend and sway;
Your heart-opening laughter tears the rosebud's veil away.
تاب بنفشه می‌دهد طرّهٔ مشک‌سای تو
پردهٔ غنچه می‌درد خندهٔ دلگشای تو
O my sweet-scented Rose, do not burn your Nightingale in fire;
All night in truthful love he sings his prayer and desire.
ای گل خوش‌نسیمِ من بلبلِ خویش را مسوز
کز سر صدق می‌کند شب همه شب دعای تو
I once grew weary of the angels' breath and heavenly sphere;
Yet now I bear the noisy talk of men for you, my Dear.
من که ملول گشتمی از نفس فرشتگان
قال و مقال عالَمی می‌کشم از برای تو
Behold the majesty of Love within his pride and poverty;
Your beggar flings away the royal crown and mocks its sovereignty.
دولت عشق بین که چون از سر فقر و افتخار
گوشهٔ تاج سلطنت می‌شکند گدای تو
Although the hermit's robe and wine-cup never do agree,
I play these roles and paint these scenes to win your pleased decree.
خرقهٔ زهد و جام مِی گرچه نه درخور همند
این همه نقش می‌زنم از جهت رضای تو
The tumult of your Love's strong wine will only leave my head
when this desire-filled skull is dust beneath your footsteps tread.
شور شراب عشق تو آن نفسم رود ز سر
کاین سر پُر هوس شود خاک در سرای تو
The throne-room of my eyes exists for your bright form to shine;
It is a house of prayer, my King—let it be filled with Thee and Thine.
شاه‌نشین چشم من تکیه‌گه خیال توست
جای دعاست شاه من بی‌تو مباد جای تو
Your cheek is like a lovely garden fair within Beauty's spring;
And Hafez is the nightingale who comes your praise to sing.
خوش چمنیست عارضت خاصه که در بهار حسن
حافظ ِخوش‌کلام شد مرغِ سخن‌سرایِ تو
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses devotion and transformation. The verse about the 'throne of the eye being the resting-place of your image' and 'the place of prayer' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez 'became the bird of word-singing' in 'the spring of beauty' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of devotion and transformation makes it very engaging.
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