Poem #66
English Translation
Persian
Lament, O Nightingale, if pride brings friendship's grace
we two are wretched lovers—lamentation is our place.
بنال بلبل اگر با مَنَت سرِ یاریست
که ما دو عاشق زاریم و کارِ ما زاریست
Where breezes blow from the Friend's tress across the land
what place for Tatar musk to speak or understand?
در آن زمین که نسیمی وزد ز طُرِّهٔ دوست
چه جایِ دم زدنِ نافه‌های تاتاریست
Bring wine to dye hypocrisy's robe in colors bright
we're drunk on pride's cup, yet claim sobriety's light.
بیار باده که رنگین کنیم جامهٔ زرق
که مستِ جامِ غروریم و نام هشیاریست
To master thoughts of your tress—not every novice can
going beneath the chain requires a cleverer plan.
خیالِ زلفِ تو پختن نه کارِ هر خامیست
که زیرِ سلسله رفتن طریقِ عیّاریست
A hidden subtlety from which true Love takes flight
not ruby lips or dark-lined brows name this delight.
لطیفه‌ایست نهانی که عشق از او خیزد
که نام آن نه لبِ لعل و خطِ زنگاریست
True beauty isn't eyes, tress, cheeks, or moles alone
a thousand subtleties in heart-keeping are shown.
جمالِ شخص، نه چشم است و زلف و عارض و خال
هزار نکته در این کار و بارِ دلداریست
Truth's Qalandars wouldn't buy for half a grain
the satin robes of artless souls are bought in vain.
قلندرانِ حقیقت به نیم جو نخرند
قبایِ اطلس آن کس که از هنر عاریست
To reach your threshold takes great toil, it's true
ascending to mastery's heaven—arduous too.
بر آستان تو مشکل توان رسید آری
عروج بر فلکِ سروری به دشواریست
At dawn I glimpsed your eye's coquetry in dream's domain
what blessed sleep surpasses waking's mundane reign!
سحر کرشمهٔ چشمت به خواب می‌دیدم
زهی مراتب خوابی که بِه ز بیداریست
Don't vex her heart with wails—be done, Hafez, I say
eternal salvation lies in causing less dismay.
دلش به ناله میازار و ختم کن حافظ
که رستگاریِ جاوید در کم آزاریست
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem contains philosophical observations about love and beauty. The verse that personal beauty 'is not eye and tress and cheek and mole' but has 'a thousand points' is a profound statement about inner beauty. The reference to Qalandars (wandering dervishes) adds spiritual context. The verse about seeing the beloved's coquetry in sleep being 'better than wakefulness' is a beautiful image. The final advice to 'finish' and not trouble the beloved's heart shows maturity. The poem's mix of philosophy and practical wisdom makes it engaging.
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