Poem #450
English Translation
Persian
For some time you have kept us in anxious state
You treat not the sincere as you treat the others' fate.
روزگاری‌ست که ما را نگران می‌داری
مخلصان را نه به وضع دگران می‌داری
The corner of satisfaction's eye did not open to me
Is this how you honor those with sight to see?
گوشهٔ چشمِ رضایی به منت باز نشد
این چنین عزت صاحب‌نظران می‌داری
'Tis better you cover your arm, for with henna's art
You dip your hand in the blood of the skilled one's heart.
ساعد آن به که بپوشی تو چو از بهر نگار
دست در خون دل پرهنران می‌داری
Neither rose nor nightingale escaped your grief's command
You keep them all crying, tearing robes in the land.
نه گل از دست غمت رست و نه بلبل در باغ
همه را نعره‌زنان جامه‌دران می‌داری
O you who seek the cash of Presence in a patched cloak's guise
Strangely you expect the Secret from the ignorant eyes.
ای که در دلق ملمّع طلبی نقد حضور
چشم سری عجب از بی‌خبران می‌داری
Since you are the narcissus of the garden of sight, O eye and light
Why do you hold your head high against my heart's plight?
چون تویی نرگس باغ نظر ای چشم و چراغ
سر چرا بر من دل‌خسته گران می‌داری؟
The gem of Jamshid's cup is from another world's mine
Yet you seek it from the clay of potters, design by design.
گوهر جام‌جم از کان جهانی دگر است
تو تمنا ز گل کوزه‌گران می‌داری
O heart, you are the father of experience, it is true
Why then greed for love and faith from these sons have you?
پدر تجربه ای دل تویی آخر ز چه روی
طمع مهر و وفا زین پسران می‌داری؟
You must empty your purse of silver and gold, complete
For these desires you hold from the silver-bodied sweet.
کیسهٔ سیم و زرت پاک بباید پرداخت
این طمع‌ها که تو از سیم‌بران می‌داری
Though libertinism and ruin are our sin, 'tis true
A lover said you keep your servant on this path, too.
گر چه رندی و خرابی گنه ماست ولی
عاشقی گفت که تو بنده بر آن می‌داری
Do not pass the day of health in reproach, Hafez, I say
What expectation have you from this world passing away?
مگذران روز سلامت به ملامت حافظ
چه توقع ز جهان گذران می‌داری؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses plea and wisdom. The verse about asking 'why do you make the head heavy on me, heart-broken' when 'you are the narcissus of the garden of sight' is a powerful statement. The reference to the cup of Jam adds cultural depth. The observation that Hafez asks 'what expectation do you have from the passing world' when told 'don't pass the day of health to reproach' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of plea and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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