Poem #484
English Translation
Persian
Perchance you sit by the river's brink, enslaved by vain desire
Else all the tumult that you see springs from your own heart's fire.
تو مگر بر لب آبی به هوس بنشینی
ور نه هر فتنه که بینی همه از خود بینی
By that Divinity who chose you for His service true
Do not prefer another's face to this old servant's view.
به خدایی که تویی بندهٔ بگزیدهٔ او
که بر این چاکر دیرینه کسی نگزینی
If I deliver up the trust, I have no cause for fear
To lose the heart were easy, if the faith remained but clear.
گر امانت به سلامت ببرم باکی نیست
بی‌دلی سهل بود گر نَبُوَد بی‌دینی
Your modesty and gentle ways have crowned you Beauty's King
A hundred praises on your head, and all the gifts they bring!
ادب و شرم تو را خسرو مه‌رویان کرد
آفرین بر تو که شایستهٔ صد چندینی
I marvel at your kindness, Rose, to sit beside the thorn
You see the needs of these dark times, and treat them not with scorn.
عجب از لطف تو ای گل که نشستی با خار
ظاهراً مصلحت وقت در آن می‌بینی
How can I bear the rival's sting, if patience is denied
For lovers have no remedy but humble, wounded pride.
صبر بر جور رقیبت چه کنم گر نکنم؟
عاشقان را نبود چاره به جز مسکینی
The morning breeze rose from the bowers, yearning for your grace
For you are fresher than the rose, and fairer than its face.
باد صبحی به هوایت ز گلستان برخاست
که تو خوش‌تر ز گل و تازه‌تر از نسرینی
Look not askance upon my tears that fall like glass and rain
If you would sit a moment here and watch the lover's pain.
شیشه‌بازیِ سِرشکم نگری از چپ و راست
گر بر این منظر بینش نفسی بنشینی
Hear one sincere and selfless word from this poor servant's plea
O you whom all the great and wise desire but to see.
سخنی بی‌غرض از بندهٔ مخلص بشنو
ای که منظور بزرگان حقیقت بینی
O pure of heart and pure of soul, my idol and my friend
'Tis better not to sit with those whose evil ways offend.
نازنینی چو تو پاکیزه‌دل و پاک‌نهاد
بهتر آن است که با مردمِ بد ننشینی
The flood of tears has swept away my heart and patience too
"My strength is gone, O weeping eye, see what is left to do!"
سیل این اشک روان صبر و دل حافظ برد
بَلَغَ الطّاقَةَ یا مُقلَةَ عَینی بِینی
O Candle of Chigil, so bright, so wayward and so fine
You are worthy to serve the King, the great Jalal al-Din.
تو بدین نازکی و سرکشی ای شمع چگل
لایق بندگی خواجه جلال‌الدینی
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains Arabic phrases and expresses praise and plea. The Arabic phrase 'Reached the limit, O eye of mine, see' adds cultural depth. The reference to Jalal al-Din adds cultural depth. The verse about 'the flood of this flowing tear taking patience and Hafez's heart' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of Arabic phrases and emotional expression makes it very engaging.