From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets
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What is sweeter than pleasure, companionship, garden, and spring?
Where is the cupbearer? Tell him — what is the cause of this waiting?
Every pleasant moment that comes to hand, count it as a prize —
no one knows what the end of the affair will be.
The thread of life hangs by a hair — take heed!
Be your own comforter — what is the world’s grief to you?
The meaning of the Water of Life and the Garden of Iram —
what is it but the edge of a stream and a pleasant wine?
The veiled and the drunk are both of one tribe —
to whose coquetry shall we give our heart? What is choice?
What does the sky know of the secret behind the veil? Be silent —
O pretender! What is your quarrel with the keeper of the veil?
If the servant’s error and mistake counts for nothing,
then what is the meaning of pardon and mercy from the Forgiver?
The ascetic asks for Kawthar’s wine, and Hafez asks for the cup —
let us see what the Creator’s wish is, between us.
خوشتر ز عیش و صحبت و باغ و بهار چیست؟
ساقی کجاست؟ گو سببِ انتظار چیست؟
هر وقتِ خوش که دست دهد، مغتنم شمار
کس را وقوف نیست که انجامِ کار چیست
پیوندِ عمر بسته به موییست، هوش دار
غمخوارِ خویش باش، غمِ روزگار چیست؟
معنیِ آبِ زندگی و روضهٔ ارم
جز طَرفِ جویبار و میِ خوشگوار چیست؟
مستور و مست هر دو چو از یک قبیلهاند
ما دل به عشوهٔ که دهیم؟ اختیار چیست؟
راز درونِ پرده چه داند فلک؟ خموش
ای مدعی! نزاعِ تو با پردهدار چیست؟
سهو و خطایِ بنده گَرَش اعتبار نیست
معنیِ عفو و رحمتِ آمُرزگار چیست؟
زاهد شرابِ کوثر و حافظ پیاله خواست
تا در میانه خواستهٔ کردگار چیست
Source: Ganjoor.net
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