Poem #53
English Translation
Persian
I am the one whose monastery is the tavern's dim-lit place
the Magian master's prayer is my morning litany's grace.
منم که گوشهٔ میخانه، خانقاهِ من است
دعایِ پیرِ مُغان، وِرْدِ صُبْحگاهِ من است
If the harp's song is not my morning wine, what care
my dawn melody's the sigh of my excuse-filled prayer.
گَرَم ترانهٔ چنگ صَبوح نیست چه باک
نوایِ من به سَحَر، آهِ عُذْرخواهِ من است
From king and beggar, I am free, thank God above
the beggar at the Friend's door is my sovereign of love.
ز پادشاه و گِدا، فارِغم بِحَمْدِالله
گِدایِ خاکِ دَرِ دوست، پادشاهِ من است
In mosque and tavern alike, my goal is union with you
I hold no other thought—God is my witness true.
غَرَضز مَسْجِد و مِیخانه‌ام، وِصالِ شماست
جُز این خیال ندارم، خُدا، گُواهِ من است
Unless Death's blade strikes down my tent, I will not flee
abandoning Fortune's door is not my way to be.
مَگَر به تیغِ اَجَل، خیمه بَرکَنَم ور نی
رَمیدن از دَرِ دولت، نه رَسْم و راهِ من است
Since I laid my face upon this sacred threshold's stone
above the Sun's bright seat, my resting place is known.
از آن زَمان که بر این آسْتان نَهادم روی
فَرازِ مَسْنَدِ خورشید، تِکْیِه‌گاهِ من است
Though sin was not our choice, Hafez! Walk courtesy's road
say 'the fault is mine' and bear the heavy load.
گُناه اگرچه نبود اختیارِ ما، «حافظ»!
تو در طریقِ اَدَب باش، گو گُناهِ من است
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 8/10. This poem contains powerful statements about Hafez's spiritual path. The verse 'the beggar of the dust of the friend's door is my king' is a profound expression of love's hierarchy. The idea that mosque and wine-house both serve the same purpose (union with the beloved) is central to Hafez's philosophy. The final verse's advice to take responsibility even for what wasn't one's choice shows wisdom and maturity. The poem's clear articulation of a personal spiritual path makes it very engaging for Western readers interested in mysticism.
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