Poem #492
English Translation
Persian
A greeting like the scent of love, familiar, sweet, and bright
To that one who is for my eyes the source of living light.
سلامی چو بوی خوش آشنایی
بدان مردم دیدهٔ روشنایی
A greeting like the holy light in pious hearts that burns
To that fair Candle of the cell where piety returns.
درودی چو نور دل پارسایان
بدان شمع خلوتگه پارسایی
Among the comrades of the day, no constancy I see
My heart has turned to blood with grief; Saqi, where can you be?
نمی‌بینم از همدمان هیچ بر جای
دلم خون شد از غصه، ساقی کجایی؟
Turn not away from Magian doors, nor from their tavern stray
For there they sell the very key that solves the knots of day.
ز کوی مغان رخ مگردان که آن جا
فروشند مفتاح مشکل‌گشایی
Although the Bride of this old World stands in her beauty distinct
Her faithfulness is gone, her vow with treachery is linked.
عروس جهان گر چه در حد حسن است
ز حد می‌برد شیوهٔ بی‌وفایی
My weary heart, if it possesses will and strength of mind
Will seek no healing balm from those who are of stony kind.
دل خستهٔ من گرش همتی هست
نخواهد ز سنگین‌دلان مومیایی
Where is the wine that overthrows the Sufi's sham and pride?
I burn from hypocritic zeal that pious robes can hide.
می صوفی‌افکن کجا می‌فروشند؟
که در تابم از دست زهد ریایی
My friends have broken friendship's pact with such a cold disdain
As if the bond of knowing me had never been, in vain.
رفیقان چنان عهد صحبت شکستند
که گویی نبوده‌ست خود آشنایی
If you but leave me to myself, O greed-devouring soul
I’ll rule a kingdom in my rags, and make the beggar whole.
مرا گر تو بگذاری ای نفس طامع
بسی پادشایی کنم در گدایی
I’ll teach you now the alchemy that turns the dust to gold
Break from bad company, break free! Be separate and bold.
بیاموزمت کیمیای سعادت
ز هم‌صحبت بد جدایی جدایی
Hafez, complain not of the times, nor of their cruel sting
What do you know, poor servant, of the ways of God, the King?
مکن حافظ از جور دوران شکایت
چه دانی تو ای بنده، کارِ خدایی؟
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem expresses wisdom and questioning. The verse about 'the companions broke the covenant of conversation such that as if familiarity itself was not' is a powerful statement. The observation that Hafez is told 'don't complain from the injustice of the time, what do you know, O servant, the work of divinity?' is a striking statement. The poem's combination of wisdom and questioning makes it very engaging.
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