Poem #421
English Translation
Persian
The threshold of the Magians' house was swept and sprinkled bright
The Elder sat and welcomed all, the old and young in sight.
درِ سرایِ مغان رُفته بود و آب زده
نشسته پیر و صلایی به شیخ و شاب زده
The servers all with girded loins stood ready to obey
Yet in their capless freedom they outshone the clouds of day.
سبوکشان همه در بندگیش بسته کمر
ولی ز ترک کُله چتر بر سحاب زده
The radiance of the brimming cup eclipsed the moon's pale grace
The beauty of the Magian boys outshone the sun's bright face.
شعاع جام و قدح نور ماه پوشیده
عذار مغ‌بچگان راه آفتاب زده
There Fortune's bride in bridal bower with thousand charms appeared
Her eyebrows arched, her rosy cheek with sweet perfumes smeared.
عروس بخت در آن حجله با هزاران ناز
شکسته کسمه و بر برگ گل گلاب زده
The Angel of Mercy raised the cup of pleasure to the skies
And cast its spray like rosewater on houris' lovely eyes.
گرفته ساغر عشرت فرشتهٔ رحمت
ز جرعه بر رخ حور و پری گلاب زده
Amidst the din of sweet-lipped ones, the revelry rang high
With sugar crushed and jasmine strewn, and lutes playing nearby.
ز شور و عربدهٔ شاهدان شیرین‌کار
شکر شکسته، سمن ریخته، رباب زده
I offered greetings, and he spoke with smiling face to me
'O wine-struck pauper, drunk with pain and sad misery!'
سلام کردم و با من به روی خندان گفت
که ای خمارکش مفلس شراب زده
'Does any do what you have done, through weak and faltering will?
To leave the House of Treasure and on ruins camp so still?'
که این کند که تو کردی به ضعف همت و رای؟
ز گنج خانه شده خیمه بر خراب زده
'I fear you'll miss the union with a fortune wide awake
For you are sleeping in the arms of Luck that sleep does take.'
وصال دولت بیدار ترسمت ندهند
که خفته‌ای تو در آغوش بخت خواب زده
Come to the tavern, Hafez now! For I will show to thee
A thousand ranks of answered prayers, fulfilled by destiny.
بیا به میکده حافظ که بر تو عرضه کنم
هزار صف ز دعاهای مستجاب زده
The Heavens hold the stirrup for King Nasrat al-Din's reign
Come see his royal majesty, his hand on power's rein.
فلک جنیبه کش شاه نصرت الدین است
بیا ببین ملکش دست در رکاب زده
Reason, inspired by the Unseen, to gain such honor sweet
From Heaven's roof sends down a kiss to grace his royal feet.
خرد که ملهم غیب است بهر کسب شرف
ز بام عرش صدش بوسه بر جناب زده
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This is a panegyric poem to King Nasrat al-Din. The poem contains extensive praise and references to the king's wisdom and justice. The verse about the elder of the wine-house saying 'come to the wine-house, O Hafez, for on you I present a thousand rows from answered prayers' is a powerful statement. The reference to King Nasrat al-Din 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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