Poem #78
English Translation
Persian
Did you see the Friend show naught but tyranny's art
she snapped the vow and felt no ache for our torn heart.
دیدی که یار، جز سَرِ جور و ستم نداشت
بشکست عهد، وز غمِ ما هیچ غم نداشت
O Lord, forgive her though she hurled my dovelike heart
she slew it without honoring the shrine's protected art.
یا رب مگیرش ار چه دلِ چون کبوترم
افکند و کُشت و عزتِ صیدِ حرم نداشت
The wrong I bore was birthed by fate, not by my star
forbid that Friend should ever lack kind customs near or far.
بر من جفا ز بختِ من آمد وگرنه یار
حاشا که رسمِ لطف و طریقِ کَرَم نداشت
And all who would not bear her scorn nor taste her scheme
wherever they would wander none held them in esteem.
با این همه هر آن که نه خواری کشید از او
هر جا که رفت، هیچ کَسَش محترم نداشت
Cupbearer, pour the wine and tell the censor this
deny us not, for even Jamshid lacked a cup like bliss.
ساقی بیار باده و با محتسب بگو
انکارِ ما مَکُن که چنین جام، جم نداشت
Whoever missed the path that leads unto her shrine
poor wretch, he roamed the wastes and found no sacred line.
هر راهرو که ره به حریمِ درش نبرد
مسکین بُرید وادی و ره در حرم نداشت
Hafez, claim the eloquence prize, for every claimant
had neither art nor news and lacked the faintest attainment.
حافظ بِبَر تو گویِ فصاحت که مدعی
هیچش هنر نبود و خبر نیز هم نداشت
Cultural Context
US Interest Rank: 7/10. This poem expresses pain at the beloved's injustice while still defending her. The verse 'don't take her, although she cast and killed my heart' shows the complexity of love. The observation that those who didn't bear humiliation from the beloved had no respect elsewhere is a thought-provoking statement about love's transformative power. The reference to Jam's cup (a legendary object) adds mythical resonance. The final verse's claim about taking 'the ball of eloquence' shows confidence. The poem's honest expression of pain while maintaining devotion makes it relatable.
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