Poem #445
English Translation
Persian
You who possess every desire the world can bestow
What care have you for the weak and the powerless below?
تو را که هر چه مراد است در جهان داری
چه غم ز حال ضعیفان ناتوان داری؟
Demand the soul and heart from your servant, take them free
For you hold command over the heads of the noble and the free.
بخواه جان و دل از بنده و روان بستان
که حکم بر سر آزادگان روان داری
You have no waist, yet I wonder how, every hour, you stand
In the center of beauties, wielding such power grand.
میان نداری و دارم عجب که هر ساعت
میان مجمع خوبان کنی میان‌داری
No painting fits the whiteness of your face
For you wear a script of musk upon the Judas-tree's grace.
بیاضِ رویِ تو را، نیست نقشِ دَرخور
از آنک سوادی از خط مشکین بر ارغوان داری
Drink wine, for you are light of spirit and always fine
Especially in that moment when your head is heavy with wine.
بنوش می که سبک‌روحی و لطیف مدام
علی الخصوص در آن دم که سرِ گران داری
Do not reproach more, nor oppress our heart with pain
Do not do all that you can, just because you hold the rein.
مکن عتاب از این بیش و جور بر دل ما
مکن هر آن چه توانی که جای آن داری
Though a hundred thousand arrows of cruelty are yours to choose
You hold them in the bow, my tired soul to abuse.
به اختیارت اگر صد هزار تیر جفاست
به قصد جانِ منِ خسته در کمان داری
Endure the rivals' cruelty and the envious one's sting
For it is easy if you have a kind friend to whom you cling.
بکِش جفای رقیبان مدام و جور حسود
که سهل باشد اگر یارِ مهربان داری
If the hand gives you one moment of the Friend's embrace, go
For you possess every desire the world can trace.
به وصل دوست گرت دست می‌دهد یک دم
برو که هر چه مراد است در جهان داری
Since you carry the rose in your skirt from this garden, Hafez
Why care for the gardener's lament and cry?
چو گل به دامن از این باغ می‌بری حافظ
چه غم ز ناله و فریاد باغبان داری؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses advice and acceptance. The verse about asking 'what grief do you have from the state of the weak ones' when 'you have every desire in the world' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez asks 'what grief do you have from the lament and cry of the gardener' when 'you take the rose to the hem from this garden' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of advice and acceptance makes it very engaging.
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