Ghazal 387

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

The king of boxwood-statured ones, the sovereign of the sweet-mouthed,

who with her eyelashes shatters the army of all warriors.

She passed by drunk and cast a glance at me, the dervish —

she said: O you, the eye and lamp of all sweet-speakers.

How long will your purse be empty of silver and gold?

Be my servant and enjoy all the silver-bodied ones.

You are no less than a mote — do not be low — show love,

that spinning you may reach the private chamber of the sun.

Do not lean on the world — and if you have a cup of wine,

drink to the joy of the Venus-browed and the delicate-bodied.

My old cup-bearing elder — may his spirit be happy —

said: Beware of the company of the covenant-breakers.

Seize the friend's hem and break from the enemy —

be a man of God and pass freely from the demons.

With the breeze in the tulip-meadow at dawn I was saying:

Whose martyrs are all these in blood-stained shrouds?

It said: Hafez! You and I are not privy to this secret —

tell the tale of ruby wine and sweet-mouthed beauties.

شاه شمشادقدان، خسرو شیرین‌دهنان

که به مژگان شکند قلب همه صف‌شکنان

مست بگذشت و نظر بر من درویش انداخت

گفت: ای چشم و چراغ همه شیرین‌سخنان

تا کی از سیم و زرت کیسه تهی خواهد بود؟

بندهٔ من شو و برخور ز همه سیم‌تنان

کمتر از ذره نه‌ای، پست مشو، مهر بورز

تا به خلوتگه خورشید رسی چرخ‌زنان

بر جهان تکیه مکن ور قدحی مِی‌ داری

شادی زهره‌جبینان خور و نازک‌بدنان

پیر پیمانه‌کش من که روانش خوش باد

گفت: پرهیز کن از صحبت پیمان‌شکنان

دامن دوست به دست آر و ز دشمن بگسل

مرد یزدان شو و فارغ گذر از اهرمنان

با صبا در چمن لاله سحر می‌گفتم

که شهیدانِ که‌اند این همه خونین‌کفنان

گفت: حافظ! من و تو محرم این راز نه‌ایم

از می لعل حکایت کن و شیرین‌دهنان

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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