Poem #419
English Translation
Persian
His union far surpasses endless life eternally;
O Lord bestow that single grace, for that is best for me.
وصال او ز عمر جاودان به
خداوندا مرا آن ده که آن به
He struck me with his flashing blade and still I breathed no word;
It's best to hide the Friend's own secret from the foe who heard.
به شمشیرم زد و با کس نگفتم
که راز دوست از دشمن نهان به
To die beneath this doorway branded slave to that dear Friend
I swear upon his life it's more than all the realms could spend.
به داغ بندگی مردن بر این در
به جان او که از ملک جهان به
For God's own sake ask my physician when this weakened clay
Will finally become as strong as better, brighter day.
خدا را از طبیب من بپرسید
که آخر کی شود این ناتوان به؟
The rose that lay beneath our cypress crushed and overthrown
Its blood-soaked dust surpassed the purple robes of any throne.
گلی کآن پایمال سرو ما گشت
بود خاکش ز خون ارغوان به
Ascetic, bid me not to heaven's grove beyond the mist;
This apple-chin surpasses all the gardens angels list.
به خلدم دعوت ای زاهد مفرما
که این سیب زنخ زان بوستان به
O heart, stay beggar at his lane, obeying his command;
For only thus the endless wealth becomes your promised land.
دلا دایم گدای کوی او باش
به حکم آن که دولت جاودان به
O youth, refuse not elder counsel when their wisdom's spun;
The old one's thought is better far than youthful fortune won.
جوانا سر متاب از پند پیران
که رأی پیر از بخت جوان به
One night he said, “No mortal eye on earth has ever seen
A pearl to match the earring bright that on my ear has been.”
شبی می‌گفت چشم کس ندیده‌ست
ز مروارید گوشم در جهان به
Though Zayanderud be water of immortal, lucent gleam,
Our Shiraz shines above the dream of Isfahan's esteem.
اگر چه زنده‌رود آب حیات است
ولی شیراز ما از اصفهان به
The word upon the Beloved's lips is sugar's sweetest art;
Yet Hafez' utterance rises still above it in the heart.
سخن اندر دهان دوست شِکَّر
ولیکن گفتهٔ حافظ از آن به
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses preference and devotion. The repeated structure of 'better' creates a powerful sense of comparison. The verse about 'Shiraz being better than Isfahan' even though 'Zayandeh Rud is the water of life' is a powerful statement. The reference to Zayandeh Rud and the comparison of cities adds geographical depth. The poem's combination of preference and devotion makes it very engaging.
Related Poems
"O Cupbearer, circulate the cup and pass it, for love seemed easy at first but difficulties arose."
"If that Turk of Shiraz takes my heart in hand, **** I will give Samarkand and Bukhara for his Hindu mole."
"To the courtiers of the sultan, who will deliver this prayer? **** That in gratitude for kingship, do not drive the begg..."
"O cupbearer, arise and pour the cup, **** put dust on the head of the grief of days"