Poem #442
English Translation
Persian
By her soul, if I had access to my own soul's grace
Its humblest gift would be to serve her holy place.
به جان او که گرم دسترس به جان بودی
کمینه پیشکش بندگانش آن بودی
I would ask, "What is the price of the dust at her feet?"
If this precious life were endless and complete.
بگفتمی که «بها چیست خاک پایش را؟»
اگر حیات گران مایه جاودان بودی
The cypress would confess its servitude to her stature tall
If, like the lily, it had ten tongues to call.
به بندگی قدش سرو معترف گشتی
گرش چو سوسن آزاده ده زبان بودی
Even in sleep I see her not; how then can union be?
Since this was not, and we saw not, would that that could be!
به خواب نیز نمی‌بینمش چه جای وصال
چو این نبود و ندیدیم باری آن بودی
If my heart were not bound by her tress's snare
When would it find rest in this dark, earthly lair?
اگر دلم نشدی پایبند طرهٔ او
کی‌اش قرار در این تیره‌خاکدان بودی؟
In face, like the sun of heaven, peerless in the skies
Alas for the heart, if but one atom of kindness lies!
به رخ چو مهر فلک بی‌نظیر آفاق است
به دل دریغ که یک ذره مهربان بودی
Would that she entered my door like a gleam of light
Her command flowing over my eyes, banishing the night.
درآمدی ز درم کاشکی چو لمعهٔ نور
که بر دو دیدهٔ ما حکم او روان بودی
When would Hafez's lament fall from behind the veil?
If he were not the companion of the morning nightingale.
ز پرده نالهٔ حافظ برون کی افتادی؟
اگر نه همدم مرغان صبح خوان بودی
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses hypothetical longing and devotion. The verse about asking 'when would the lament of Hafez fall from the curtain' if 'not the companion of the morning-singing birds' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'the heart would not rest in this dark-earth-container' if it 'did not become bound of the tress' is a profound statement. The poem's combination of hypothetical longing and devotion makes it very engaging.
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