Poem #489
English Translation
Persian
O you upon whose face the lights of majesty appear
Within whose thought a hundred divine wisdoms are made clear.
ای در رخ تو پیدا انوار پادشاهی
در فکرت تو پنهان صد حکمت الهی
Blessed be your pen, which opens paths for faith and state to grow
From whose black drop a hundred springs of life eternal flow.
کلک تو بارک الله بر ملک و دین گشاده
صد چشمه آب حیوان از قطرهٔ سیاهی
The Great Name's light does not descend upon the demon's head
The Ring and Kingdom are your own; command what you have said.
بر اهرمن نتابد انوار اسم اعظم
ملک آن توست و خاتم فرمای هر چه خواهی
Whoever doubts the wisdom that our Solomon has found
The birds and fish will laugh at him, wherever they abound.
در حکمت سلیمان هر کس که شک نماید
بر عقل و دانش او خندند مرغ و ماهی
Although the falcon sometimes wears a hood upon his eyes
The birds of Qaf know well the kingly custom of the skies.
باز ار چه گاه گاهی بر سر نهد کلاهی
مرغان قاف دانند آیین پادشاهی
The sword to which the heavens give their temper and their sheen
Conquers the world alone, without an army to be seen.
تیغی که آسمانش از فیض خود دهد آب
تنها جهان بگیرد بی منّت سپاهی
Your pen writes well for friend and foe, with justice in its breath
A soul-increasing amulet, a spell of life and death.
کلک تو خوش نویسد در شأن یار و اغیار
تعویذ جان‌فزایی افسون عمرکاهی
O you whose essence is distilled from honor's alchemy
Your fortune is secure from time and ruin's decree.
ای عنصر تو مخلوق از کیمیای عزّت
و ای دولت تو ایمن از وَصمت تباهی
Saqi, bring water from the tavern's spring, so pure and bright
That we may wash the convent's pride from robes of dark and white.
ساقی بیار آبی از چشمهٔ خرابات
تا خرقه‌ها بشوییم از عُجب خانقاهی
O King, a lifetime has gone by since wine has filled my cup
The servant claims, the censor proves, and so the count goes up.
عمری‌ست پادشاها کز می تهی‌ست جامم
اینک زِ بنده دعوی، وز محتسب گواهی
If but a flash from your bright sword upon the mine should fall
The ruby's face would turn to straw, and lose its color all.
گَر پرتوی زِ تیغت، بر کان و معدن افتد
یاقوت سرخ‌رو را بخشند رنگ کاهی
I know your heart forgives the weak who sit the night in prayer
If you but ask the morning wind how your poor servants fare.
دانم دلت ببخشد بر عجز شب‌نشینان
گر حال بنده پرسی از باد صبحگاهی
Since lightning struck Adam the Chosen for his single sin
How can we claim, with all our faults, that we are pure within?
جایی که برق عصیان بر آدم صفی زد
ما را چگونه زیبد دعویِ بی‌گناهی؟
Hafez, since now the King has deigned to speak your humble name
Complain no more of fortune, but return and own your shame.
حافظ چو پادشاهت گهگاه می‌برد نام
رنجش ز بخت منما بازآ به عذرخواهی
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This is a panegyric poem to a king. The poem contains extensive praise and references to Solomon and the birds of Qaf. The Arabic phrase 'May God bless' adds cultural depth. The verse about 'the pen writing pleasantly in the rank of friend and others, the amulet soul-increasing, the spell life-taking' is a powerful statement. The poem's combination of praise and imagery makes it engaging, though panegyrics may be less universally appealing than love poetry.