Poem #488
English Translation
Persian
At dawn the tavern’s guardian voice called out to bless my way
"Return, for you have been a guest here many a long day.
سَحرم هاتف میخانه به دولت‌خواهی گفت
باز آی که دیرینهٔ این درگاهی
"Drink of our cup like Jamshid, for its magic rays will show
The secrets of the two worlds that the mystics seek to know.
همچو جَم جرعهٔ ما کَش که ز سِرّ دو جهان
پرتو جام جهان‌بین دهدَت آگاهی
"At the tavern door the wild Qalandars stand in line
Who give and take the royal crown for just a sip of wine.
بر در میکده رندان قلندر باشند
که سِتانند و دهند افسر شاهنشاهی
"With brick beneath their heads, their feet upon the stars above
Behold their power, see the rank of those who live for Love.
خشت، زیر سر و بر تارَک هفت‌اختر پای
دست قدرت نگر و منصب صاحب‌جاهی
"Our head is at the tavern door, whose roof scrapes heaven’s dome
Though low its humble walls may seem, it is our spirit's home.
سَر ما و در میخانه که طرف بامش به فلک بر شد
و دیوار بدین کوتاهی
"Travel not this road without the guide of Khidr's grace
'Tis dark, and fear of getting lost haunts every lonely place.
قطع این مرحله بی‌همرهی خضر مکن
ظلمات است بترس از خطر گمراهی
"O heart, if Poverty's vast kingdom is bestowed on thee
Your realm shall stretch from moon to fish, across eternity.
اگرت سلطنت فقر ببخشند ای دل
کمترین ملک تو از ماه بود تا ماهی
"You do not know the breath of need, so do not cast away
The seat of power and the court where Turan Shah holds sway.
تو دم فقر ندانی زدن از دست مده
مسند خواجگی و مجلس تورانشاهی
"Hafez, with your raw desire, have shame and hold your peace
What have you done to claim the joys that in the heavens increase?"
حافظِ خام‌طمع! شرمی از این قصّه بدار
عملت چیست که فردوس برین می‌خواهی؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses mysticism and wisdom. The reference to Jam and Khidr adds cultural depth. The verse about 'the voice of the wine-house saying come again, for you are old of this threshold' and 'drink the sip like Jam, for the ray of the world-seeing cup gives you knowledge from the secret of two worlds' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez is asked 'what is your action that you want high paradise' when told 'have shame from this tale' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of mysticism and wisdom makes it very engaging.
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