Poem #471
English Translation
Persian
Who brings a word of kindness from my Dear?
Where is the Breeze, if generosity is near?
ز دلبرم که رساند نوازش قلمی
کجاست پیک صبا گر همی کند کرمی؟
To measure Love by Reason's narrow line
is tracing on the sea a dewdrop's sign.
قیاس کردم و تدبیر عقل در ره عشق
چو شبنمی است که بر بحر می‌کشد رقمی
Though in the tavern pawned my cloak may be
no endowment's coin you'll find bestowed on me.
بیا که خرقهٔ من گر چه رهن میکده‌هاست
ز مال وقف نبینی به نام من درمی
Forget the 'how' and 'why,' that headache-strain;
Drink wine, and rest a moment from life's pain.
حدیثِ چون و چرا دردِ سر دهد ای دل
پیاله گیر و بیاسا ز عمرِ خویش دمی
The sober doctor knows not Love's deep grief;
Seek one with Christ-like breath for your relief.
طبیبِ راه‌نشین درد عشق نشناسد
برو به دست کن ای مرده‌دل مسیح‌دمی
My heart is sick of fraud and secret drum;
Openly to the tavern let me come!
دلم گرفت ز سالوس و طبل زیر گلیم
به آن که بر در میخانه برکشم عَلَمی
The wise sell both the worlds for one pure draught
and converse with the Idol, love-distraught.
بیا که وقت‌شناسان دو کون بفروشند
به یک پیاله میِ صاف و صحبتِ صنمی
Love's way is not of comfort and of ease;
Drink grief's sharp poison if you wish to please.
دوام عیش و تنعم نه شیوهٔ عشق است
اگر معاشرِ مایی بنوش نیش غمی
I complain not, but the Friend's cloud of grace
shed not one drop on my thirst-stricken place.
نمی‌کنم گله‌ای لیک ابر رحمت دوست
به کِشته‌زار جگرتشنگان نداد نمی
Why buy they not with sugar-cane's sweet fee
him who pours sweetness from his pen so free?
چرا به یک نیِ قندش نمی‌خرند آن کس
که کرد صد شکرافشانی از نیِ قلمی
King! Hafez has no gift your rank to greet
save morning prayer and night's obeisance sweet.
سزای قدر تو شاها به دست حافظ نیست
جز از دعای شبی و نیاز صبحدمی
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses wisdom and devotion. The verse about 'the time-knowers selling two worlds to one cup of pure wine and the conversation of an idol' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez says 'worthy of your rank, O king, is not in my hand except from the prayer of a night and the need of dawn' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of wisdom and devotion makes it very engaging.
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