Ghazal 201

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

Pure wine and a fair cupbearer are two snares on the road

from whose lasso the clever ones of the world do not escape.

Though I am a lover, a rend, drunk, and blacklisted —

a thousand thanks that the companions of the city are without sin.

Cruelty is not the way of dervishhood and the spiritual path —

bring wine, for these travelers are not men of the road.

Do not look down upon the beggars of love, for these people

are beltless kings and crownless sovereigns.

Be aware — for in the hour of the wind of indifference

they do not value a thousand harvests of obedience at half a grain.

Do not act so that the procession of your beauty is broken —

when servants flee and attendants desert.

I am the slave of the aspiration of those single-minded dregs-drinkers —

not that group who are blue-clad and black-hearted.

Do not set foot in the tavern except with courtesy,

for the travelers of its door are the intimates of the king.

The sanctuary of love is lofty — have aspiration, Hafez,

for lovers do not allow the path of the aspiration-less upon themselves.

شرابِ بی‌غَش و ساقیِّ خوش دو دامِ رهند

که زیرکانِ جهان از کمندشان نَرَهَند

من ار چه عاشقم و رند و مست و نامه سیاه

هزار شُکر که یارانِ شهر بی‌گنهند

جفا نه پیشهٔ درویشیَست و راهرُوی

بیار باده که این سالکان نَه مردِ رهند

مَبین حقیر، گدایانِ عشق را کاین قوم

شَهانِ بی کمر و خسروانِ بی کُلَهند

به هوش باش که هنگامِ بادِ اِستغنا

هزار خرمنِ طاعت به نیمْ جو ننهند

مَکُن که کوکبهٔ دلبری شکسته شود

چو بندگان بِگُریزند و چاکران بِجَهَند

غلامِ همَّتِ دُردی کشانِ یک رنگم

نه آن گروه که اَزْرَق لباس و دل سیَهَند

قدم مَنِه به خرابات جز به شرطِ ادب

که سالکانِ درش محرمانِ پادشهند

جنابِ عشق بلند است همّتی حافظ

که عاشقان، رهِ بی‌همّتان به خود ندهند

Source: Ganjoor.net

Reflect on This Poem

If this ghazal appeared as your reading today, consider:

  • Which line stirred something in you — comfort, longing, or unease?
  • What question were you holding when you arrived at this page?
  • What is this poem asking you to release or embrace?

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