A flower without my beloved's face is not pleasant, Ghazal 163 by Hafez
A flower without my beloved's face is not pleasant, Ghazal 163 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
گل بی‌رخِ یار خوش نباشد
بی‌باده بهار خوش نباشد
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طَرفِ چمن و طوافِ بستان
بی‌لاله‌عذار خوش نباشد
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رقصیدن سرو و حالتِ گُل
بی‌صوتِ هَزار خوش نباشد
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با یارِ شکرلبِ گل‌اندام
بی‌بوس و کنار خوش نباشد
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هر نقش که دستِ عقل بندد
جز نقشِ نگار، خوش نباشد
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جان نقدِ مُحَقَّر است حافظ
از بهرِ نثار خوش نباشد
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Description:
English Translation:
A flower without my beloved's face is not pleasant,
Spring without wine is not pleasant.
The side of the meadow and the circumambulation of the garden
Without a lily-faced beauty is not pleasant.
The cypress dancing and the state of the flower
Without the sound of a thousand nightingales is not pleasant.
With a sweet-lipped, rose-bodied lover,
Without kisses and embrace is not pleasant.
Every design that the hand of reason binds,
Except the design of a beautiful face, is not pleasant.
Hafez, life is a cheap commodity,
It is not pleasant to offer it for nothing.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez celebrates the beauty of nature, the joy of love, and the fleeting nature of life. He invites his beloved to enjoy the pleasures of the world together.
Key Themes:
Beauty and Love: The poet associates beauty with his beloved and emphasizes the importance of love in life.
The Pleasures of Life: Hafez celebrates the joys of spring, wine, and companionship.
The Transitory Nature of Life: The poet reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of seizing the moment.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
یار: Beloved
لاله: Tulip
هزار: Nightingale
نگار: Beautiful face
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep emotional expression with rich imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience.