Poem #45
English Translation
Persian
In this age, a faultless friend is rare to find
a flask of purest wine, a ghazal vessel combined.
در این زمانه، رفیقی که خالی از خِلَل است
صُراحیِ مِیِ ناب و سَفینهٔ غزل است
Turn away! The passage to safety's narrow door
take the cup! For precious life has no encore.
جَریده رُو که گُذَرگاهِ عافیت، تَنْگ است
پیاله گیر که عُمرِ عزیز، بی‌بَدَل است
Not I alone am weary from not acting right
the learned weary too from knowledge without light.
نه من ز بی‌عَمَلی، در جهان، مَلولَم و بَس
مَلالَتِ عُلما هم ز عِلْمِ بی‌عَمَل است
Through reason's eye, in this tumultuous passageway
the world and all its works are unstable, have no stay.
به چَشْمِ عَقْل در این رَهْگُذارِ پُرآشوب
جهان و کارِ جهان، بی‌ثُبات و بی‌مَحَل است
Grasp the moon-faced beauty's tress, read no tale
good luck and bad come from Venus and Saturn's trail.
بگیر طُرِّهٔ مه‌چهره‌ای و قِصِّه مَخوان
که سَعْد و نَحْس ز تأثیرِ زُهْرِه و زُحَل است
My heart held hope for union with your lovely face
but Death's the highwayman on Life's uncertain race.
دلم، امیدِ فراوان به وَصْلِ رویِ تو داشت
ولی اَجَل به رَهِ عمر، رَهْزَنِ اَمَل است
In no age will they find Hafez sober, mark me well
he's drunk on wine eternal, in its timeless spell.
به هیچ دور نخواهند یافت هُشیارش چُنین
که «حافظِ» ما، مَسْتِ بادهٔ اَزَل است
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains philosophical observations about the world's instability and the value of true friendship. The verse about the learned being weary from 'knowledge without action' is a profound critique of empty learning. The image of death as 'a robber of hope' is striking and accessible. The reference to Venus and Saturn's influence shows awareness of astrology, which may interest some readers. The final verse about being 'drunk with the wine of eternity' is a powerful mystical statement. The poem's combination of worldly wisdom and spiritual insight makes it engaging.
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