Ghazal 427

From the Divan of Hafez · 9 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

The candle became a moth to the lamp of your face —

I have no care for my own state compared to yours.

Reason, which orders the chains of love's madmen,

from the scent of the hyacinth of your tresses went insane.

If from the scent of your tresses my life went to the wind — what of it?

A thousand precious lives are sacrificed for the beloved.

I, the shy one, fell from my feet last night from jealousy —

when I saw my beauty in the hands of a stranger.

What designs we provoked — and none availed —

our spells upon her have become mere tales.

Upon the fire of her lovely face, in place of the rue-seed,

who has seen a better seed than her black mole?

With glad tidings, the candle gave its life to the breeze in one breath —

when from the candle of your face, the moth-message reached it.

I have a covenant concerning the ring of the friend's lip —

that I shall bring to my tongue nothing but the tale of the cup.

Do not speak of the school and monastery — for again

the desire for the tavern has fallen into Hafez's head.

چراغ روی تو را شمع گشت پروانه

مرا ز حال تو با حال خویش پروا، نه

خِرد که قید مجانین عشق می‌فرمود

به بوی سنبل زلف تو گشت دیوانه

به بوی زلف تو گر جان به باد رفت‌، چه شد؟

هزار جان گرامی فدای جانانه

من‌ِ رمیده ز غیرت ز پا فتادم دوش

نگار خویش چو دیدم به دست بیگانه

چه نقش‌ها که برانگیختیم و سود نداشت

فسون ما بر او گشته است افسانه

بر آتش رخ زیبای او به جای سپند

به غیر خال سیاهش که دید به دانه؟

به مژده، جان به صبا داد شمع در نفسی

ز شمع روی تواَش چون رسید پروانه

مرا به دور لب دوست هست پیمانی

که بر زبان نبرم جز حدیث پیمانه

حدیث مدرسه و خانقه مگوی که باز

فتاد در سر حافظ هوای میخانه

Source: Ganjoor.net

Reflect on This Poem

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  • 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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