From the Divan of Hafez · 8 couplets
...
You are the one who sits like a crown upon the head of beauties —
it is fitting that all the heart-stealers pay you tribute.
Your two bold eyes have confounded Ethiopia and Cathay —
to the curls of your tresses, China and India pay tribute.
The whiteness of your face is bright as the cheek of day —
the darkness of your black tresses is the deepest dark.
The honey of your mouth has given currency to the Water of Khizr —
your candy-like lips have stolen the trade from Egypt’s sugar-cane.
From this disease I will truly never recover,
for the heartache you cause, O soul, does not submit to treatment.
Why do you shatter my soul with your stone-heartedness?
A weak heart it is, as delicate as glass.
Your lip is Khizr, and your mouth the Water of Life —
your stature a cypress, your waist a hair, your bosom like ivory.
The desire for a sovereign like you fell into Hafez’s heart —
would that I were the least mote of dust at your door.
تویی که بر سرِ خوبانِ کشوری چون تاج
سِزَد اگر همهٔ دلبران دَهَندَت باج
دو چشمِ شوخِ تو برهم زده خَطا و حَبَش
به چینِ زلفِ تو ماچین و هند داده خراج
بیاضِ رویِ تو روشن چو عارِضِ رُخِ روز
سوادِ زلفِ سیاهِ تو هست ظلمت داج
دهانِ شهدِ تو داده رواج آب خِضِر
لبِ چو قندِ تو بُرد از نباتِ مصر رواج
از این مرض به حقیقت شفا نخواهم یافت
که از تو دردِ دل ای جان! نمیرسد به عِلاج
چرا همی شکنی جانِ من ز سنگدلی؟
دلِ ضعیف که باشد، به نازکی چو زُجاج
لبِ تو خضر و دهانِ تو آبِ حیوان است
قدِ تو سرو و میانموی و بَر، به هیئت عاج
فِتاد در دلِ حافظ هوایِ چون تو شَهی
کمینه ذرهٔ خاکِ درِ تو بودی کاج
Source: Ganjoor.net
If this ghazal appeared as your reading today, consider:
Hold a question in your heart — about love, a decision, or your path — and let Hafez speak to you directly.
Get Your Free Reading