Poem #64
English Translation
Persian
Though showing art before the Friend seems rude, I own
my tongue is silent, yet my mouth with praise has grown.
اگر چه عرض هنر پیشِ یار بی‌ادبیست
زبان خموش، ولیکن دهان پُر از عربیست
Fairy-faced yet veiled, with demon coquetry so bright
my eyes burn with wonder—what marvel meets my sight?
پری نهفته رخ و دیو در کرشمهٔ حُسن
بسوخت دیده ز حیرت که این چه بوالعجبیست
In this garden, none picked roses without thorns I say
the Prophet's lamp burns near Abu Lahab's dark ray.
در این چمن گلِ بی خار کس نچید آری
چراغِ مصطفوی با شرارِ بولَهَبیست
Ask not why Heaven nurtures the base and low
its favor-granting needs no cause, as we all know.
سبب مپرس که چرخ از چه سِفله‌پرور شد
که کام‌بخیش او را بهانه بی‌سببیست
I wouldn't buy the monastery arch for half a grain
the tavern bench and wine-jar's base are my domain.
به نیم جو نخرم طاقِ خانقاه و رِباط
مرا که مَصطَبه ایوان و پای خُم طَنَبیست
The vine's fair daughter is the light that we adore
unless she's veiled in glass, wine-curtained evermore.
جمالِ دختر رَز نورِ چشمِ ماست مگر
که در نقابِ زُجاجی و پردهٔ عِنَبیست
I had a thousand wits and graces, O master dear
now drunk and ruined, propriety's discourtesy here.
هزار عقل و ادب داشتم من ای خواجه
کنون که مستِ خرابم، صلاح بی‌ادبیست
Bring wine! Like Hafez, I've memorized a thousand lines
yet turn to dawn's tears and midnight prayers' designs.
بیار می که چو حافظ هزارم استظهار
به گریهٔ سحری و نیازِ نیم شبیست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains references to Islamic history (Abu Lahab, an enemy of the Prophet) and the Mustafavi lamp (referring to the Prophet Muhammad). The verse about preferring the wine-house bench to the monastery arch is a clear statement of Hafez's preference. The observation that 'propriety is discourtesy' when one is 'drunk and ruined' is a witty paradox. The final verse about having 'a thousand memorizations' (likely of the Quran) but preferring wine is a bold statement. The poem's mix of religious references and libertine philosophy may intrigue readers.
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