Poem #438
English Translation
Persian
Salma has stolen heart and soul with tresses soft and gray,
Her voice calls out to me in love, renewing every day.
سَبَتْ سَلْمیٰ بِصُدْغَیها فُؤادي و رُوحي
کُلَّ یَومٍ لي یُنادي
O Friend, have mercy on my heart, join me in love's embrace,
Despite the enemies who watch with cold and jealous face.
نگارا بر من بی‌دل ببخشای و واصِلْني
علی رَغْمِ الْأَعادي
In grief of passion for your love, O Friend, we place our trust,
In God, the Lord of Servants all, for we are only dust.
حبیبا در غم سودای عشقت تَوَکَّلْنا
علی رَبِّ الْعِبادِ
You who rebuke my love for her, wait till you see her shine,
Within the valley, you will see a beauty all divine.
أَ مَنْ اَنْکَرْتَني عَن عشق سَلْمیٰ تُزاوَّل
آن روی نِهْکو بِوادی
My heart is lost to idols fair, the path is hard and steep,
Drowned in the ocean of true Love, in friendship's waters deep.
که همچون مُت به بوتَن دل وَ اِی رَه
غَریقُ الْعِشقِ في بَحْرِ الْوِدادِ
We pay the penalty of love upon the Loved One's way,
For you too passed this road before, starting from yesterday.
به پی ماچان غَرامت بِسپُریمَن غَرَت
یک وی رَوِشتی از اَما دی
The heart must drink its cup of grief, there is no other choice,
For if you do not see the pain, you never will rejoice.
غم این دل بِواتَت خورد ناچار و غَر
نه او بِنی آنچَت نَشادی
Hafez's heart is lost within the darkness of your hair,
'In a dark night, and God is Guide,' to lead him from despair.
دل حافظ شد اندر چین زلفت بِلَیلٍ مُظْلِمٍ
وَ اللّهُ هادي
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This poem contains extensive Arabic phrases and expresses devotion. The Arabic phrases add significant cultural depth. The verse about 'Salma captivated the heart and soul with her temples' and 'calling every day' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez's 'heart became in the curl of your tress in a dark night and God is the guide' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of Arabic phrases and emotional expression makes it very engaging.
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