Poem #452
English Translation
Persian
Human and fairy are but parasites on Love's existence free
show devotion, that you may gain felicity.
طُفیلِ هستیِ عشقند آدمیّ و پَری
ارادتی بنما تا سعادتی بِبَری
Strive, O Master, and do not be without Love's part
for none buys a slave with the fault of a loveless heart.
بکوش خواجه و از عشق بی‌نصیب مباش
که بنده را نخرد کس به عیب بی‌هنری
How long this morning wine and dawn's sweet sleep?
Strive for midnight's excuse and the tears you weep.
می صبوح و شکرخواب صبحدم تا چند
به عذر نیم‌شبی کوش و گریهٔ سحری؟
What a marvel you are, O sweet-working knight so bright
you stand before the eye, yet are absent from sight.
تو خود چه لعبتی ای شهسوار شیرین‌کار
که در برابر چشمیّ و غایب از نظری؟
A thousand sacred souls burned from jealousy's sting
that morning and eve, you light another's gathering.
هزار جان مقدّس بسوخت زین غیرت
که هر صباح و مسا شمع مجلس دگری
Who will bear a message from me to Asaf's noble ear?
"Learn two lines of Persian verse from me, clear."
ز من به حضرت آصف که می‌برد پیغام
که یاد گیر دو مصرع ز من به نظم دری؟
Come, for the world's state as I have seen it true
if you test it, you'll drink wine and bid grief adieu.
بیا که وضع جهان را چنان که من دیدم
گر امتحان بکنی مِی خوریّ و غم نخوری
May your lordship's cap never sit awry on Beauty's head
for you fit Fortune, and the crown is where you tread.
کلاه سروریت کج مباد بر سر حُسن
که زیب بخت و سزاوار ملک و تاج سری
To the scent of your tress and face they come and go
the Zephyr scattering musk, the Rose in beauty's show.
به بوی زُلف و رُخت می‌روند و می‌آیند
صبا به غالیه ساییّ و گل به جلوه‌گری
Seek not union if you are not prepared to see
Jamshid's cup aids not the blind in their misery.
چو مستعّد نظر نیستی وصال مجوی
که جام جم نکند سود وقت بی‌بصری
The prayer of recluses turns calamity away
why not look upon us with the corner of your eye today?
دعای گوشه‌نشینان بلا بگرداند
چرا به گوشهٔ چشمی به ما نمی‌نگری؟
Come and buy sovereignty from us with Beauty's coin
neglect not this trade, or regret you will join.
بیا و سلطنت از ما بخر به مایهٔ حسن
وَزین معامله غافل مشو که حیف خوری
The path of Love is a strange and dangerous way
God forbid if you reach no end in your foray.
طریق عشق طریقی عجب خطرناک است
نعوذبالله اگر ره به مقصدی نبری
By the blessing of Hafez's will, there is hope, it seems
that again I shall tell tales of Layla in moonlit dreams.
به یُمنِ همّتِ حافظ امید هست که باز
اَریٰ اُسامِرُ لیلایَ لَیلةَ القَمَری
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 9/10. This poem contains Arabic phrases and expresses wisdom. The Arabic phrases 'I seek refuge in God' and 'Will you tell stories of Layla, the night of the moon?' add significant cultural depth. The reference to Asaf and the cup of Jam adds cultural depth. The verse about 'the path of love being a strange dangerous path' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of Arabic phrases and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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