Ghazal 258

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

A thousand thanks that I see you again as I wished —

from sincerity and purity, become intimate with my heart.

Travelers of the path tread the road of tribulation —

the companion of love, what fear has he of valley and peak?

The grief of the beloved is better hidden than the talk of the rival —

for the breast of the spiteful is no confidant of secrets.

Though your beauty is independent of any other love,

I am not one to turn back from this love-play.

What shall I tell you of what I see from the burning within? —

ask the tears for the tale, for I am no tale-bearer.

What a mischief was it that the cosmetician of destiny stirred up —

who made her drunken narcissus dark with the kohl of coquetry.

In gratitude that the assembly is illumined by the friend,

if cruelty reaches you like a candle, burn and bear it.

The intent is the coquetry of beauty, otherwise there is no need —

the beauty of Mahmud's fortune does not need the tress of Ayaz.

The ghazal-singing of Venus gains no advantage

in that station where Hafez raises his voice.

هزار شُکر که دیدم به کامِ خویشت باز

ز رویِ صدق و صفا گشته با دلم دَمساز

رَوَندگانِ طریقت رَهِ بلا سِپَرَند

رفیقِ عشق چه غم دارد از نَشیب و فراز

غمِ حبیب نهان بِه ز گفت و گوی رقیب

که نیست سینهٔ اربابِ کینه‌، محرمِ راز

اگر چه حُسنِ تو از عشقِ غیر مُستَغنی‌ست

من آن نیَم که از این عشق‌بازی آیم باز

چه گویَمَت که ز سوزِ درون چه می‌بینم

ز اشک پُرس حکایت که من نیَم غَمّاز

چه فتنه بود که مَشّاطِهٔ قضا انگیخت

که کرد نرگسِ مستش سیَه به سرمهٔ ناز

بدین سپاس که مجلس مُنَوَّر است به دوست

گَرَت چو شمع جفایی رِسَد بسوز و بساز

غَرَض کِرشمهٔ حُسن است ور نه حاجت نیست

جمالِ دولتِ محمود را به زلفِ ایاز

غزل سُرایی ناهید صرفه‌ای نَبَرَد

در آن مَقام که حافظ برآورد آواز

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?

Ask the Oracle

Hold a question in your heart — about love, a decision, or your path — and let Hafez speak to you directly.

Get Your Free Reading