Poem #60
English Translation
Persian
That famed messenger arrived from the Friend's distant land
with soul's amulet from her musk-scented handwriting grand.
آن پیکِ ناموَر که رسید از دیارِ دوست
آورد حِرزِ جان ز خطِ مُشکبارِ دوست
He tells of the Beloved's majesty and beauty bright
recounts the Friend's great honor with such delight.
خوش می‌دهد نشانِ جلال و جمالِ یار
خوش می‌کند حکایتِ عِزّ و وقارِ دوست
I gave my heart for his good news, yet feel ashamed
this counterfeit coin I scattered at the Friend's acclaim.
دل دادمش به مژده و خِجلَت همی‌برم
زین نقدِ قلبِ خویش که کردم نثارِ دوست
Thanks be to God! With Fortune's aid that makes things right
the Friend's affairs are all according to heart's delight.
شکرِ خدا که از مددِ بختِ کارساز
بر حسبِ آرزوست همه کار و بارِ دوست
What choice have Heaven and Moon in their celestial flight?
They turn according to the Friend's will and choice's might.
سیرِ سپهر و دورِ قمر را چه اختیار؟
در گردشند بر حَسَبِ اختیار دوست
If chaos' wind should shake both worlds to dust and strife
we wait—eyes lamplit—on the path for the Friend of life.
گر بادِ فتنه هر دو جهان را به هم زند
ما و چراغِ چَشم و رهِ انتظارِ دوست
O dawn Breeze! Bring me jeweled kohl to trace
from that blessed dust where the Friend once passed her grace.
کُحلُ الجَواهری به من آر ای نسیمِ صبح
زان خاکِ نیکبخت که شد رهگذارِ دوست
We stand at Love's threshold with heads bowed in need's prayer
till sweet sleep carries us into the Friend's embrace so fair.
ماییم و آستانهٔ عشق و سرِ نیاز
تا خوابِ خوش که را بَرَد اندر کنارِ دوست
If enemies speak ill of Hafez, let them rave
thanks be to God—I'm not ashamed before the Friend so brave.
دشمن به قصدِ حافظ اگر دم زند چه باک؟
مِنَّت خدای را که نیَم شرمسارِ دوست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem celebrates receiving news from the beloved. The verse about the heavens and moon revolving 'according to the friend's choice' is a powerful statement about love's cosmic significance. The reference to 'kohl al-jawahiri' (jeweled kohl) adds exotic appeal. The poem's theme of waiting at the threshold of love is universal. The final verse's confidence that being 'not ashamed before the friend' matters more than enemies' words is a strong statement of integrity. The poem's celebration of love's power makes it engaging.
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