Poem #444
English Translation
Persian
A city full of graceful ones, a beauty on every side
Friends! It is the call of Love, if you would work with pride.
شهری‌ست پُر ظریفان وز هر طرف نگاری
یاران! صلای عشق است گر می‌کنید کاری
The eye of Heaven sees no youth more wondrous than this
No better beloved falls into anyone's hand of bliss.
چشم فلک نبیند زین طُرفه‌تر جوانی
در دست کس نیفتد زین خوب‌تر نگاری
Who has ever seen a body composed of pure soul?
May no dust from these earth-dwellers upon her hem unroll.
هرگز که دیده باشد جسمی ز جانِ مُرکب؟
بر دامنش مبادا زین خاکیان غباری
Why do you drive a broken one like me from your door?
My utmost hope is but a kiss or an embrace, no more.
چون من شکسته‌ای را از پیش خود چه رانی؟
کم غایت توقع بوسی‌ست یا کناری
The wine is pure, seize it! The time is sweet, make haste!
Who hopes for another spring when this year goes to waste?
مِی بی‌غش است دریاب، وقتی خوش است بشتاب
سال دگر که دارد امّید نوبهاری؟
In the garden, companions like the tulip and the rose
Each holds a cup to the memory of a friend's repose.
در بوستان حریفان مانند لاله و گل
هر یک گرفته جامی بر یادِ رویِ یاری
How shall I untie this knot? How shall I show this secret deep?
A pain, a hard pain; a task, a difficult keep.
چون این گره گشایم، وین راز چون نمایم
دردی و سخت دردی کاری و صعب کاری
Every hair of Hafez is in the hand of a playful tress
'Tis hard to dwell in such a land of loveliness.
هر تار موی حافظ در دست زلفِ شوخی
مشکل توان نشستن در این چنین دیاری
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses carpe diem philosophy and longing. The verse about 'wine being without fraud, take, a time is pleasant, hurry' and asking 'next year that has hope of new spring?' is a powerful statement. The observation that 'every strand of hair of Hafez in the hand of the playful tress makes it difficult to sit in such a land' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of carpe diem philosophy and longing makes it very engaging.
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