At dawn, a message reached my ear from the unseen voice, Ghazal 283 by Hafez
At dawn, a message reached my ear from the unseen voice, Ghazal 283 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
سحر ز هاتفِ غیبم رسید مژده به گوش
که دورِ شاه شجاع است، مِی دلیر بنوش
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شد آن که اهلِ نظر بر کناره می‌رفتند
هزار گونه سخن در دهان و لب خاموش
***
به صوتِ چنگ بگوییم آن حکایت‌ها
که از نهفتنِ آن دیگِ سینه می‌زد جوش
***
شرابِ خانگیِ ترسِ محتسب خورده
به رویِ یار بنوشیم و بانگِ نوشانوش
***
ز کویِ میکده دوشش به دوش می‌بُردند
امامِ شهر که سجاده می‌کشید به دوش
***
دلا دلالتِ خیرت کنم به راهِ نجات
مکن به فسق مباهات و زهد هم مَفُروش
***
محلِ نورِ تَجَلّیست رایِ انور شاه
چو قربِ او طلبی در صفایِ نیّت کوش
***
به جز ثنایِ جلالش مساز وِردِ ضمیر
که هست گوشِ دلش محرمِ پیامِ سروش
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رموزِ مصلحتِ مُلک خسروان دانند
گدایِ گوشه نشینی تو حافظا مَخروش
***
Description:
English Translation:
At dawn, a message reached my ear from the unseen voice,
"The reign of the brave king is near, drink bold wine."
Those who were people of contemplation and kept to the sidelines,
Now speak a thousand kinds of words with silent lips.
Let us sing those tales to the sound of the lute,
Which were boiling in the cauldron of our hearts, unable to be hidden.
Let us drink the homemade wine that the censor fears,
With our beloved, and cry out, "Drink, drink!"
Yesterday, they carried the imam of the city, shoulder to shoulder,
From the winehouse, while he carried his prayer mat on his shoulder.
O heart, I will guide you on the path of salvation,
Do not boast of sin or sell your piety.
The mind of the enlightened king is the place of divine manifestation,
If you seek his proximity, strive for purity of intention.
Make no other invocation in your heart except praise of His majesty,
For his heart is a confidant of the messages of the divine messenger.
The secrets of the king's realm are known to those in power,
So do not be a disgruntled beggar in a corner, O Hafez.
Explanation of the Ghazal
This ghazal by Hafez is a celebration of the new ruler, who is seen as a bringer of justice and prosperity. The poet encourages people to enjoy life and the pleasures it offers, while also emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and seeking the divine.
Key Themes:
Celebration of the new ruler: The poet expresses joy and optimism about the new king's reign.
Spiritual awakening: The ghazal hints at a spiritual awakening and a call for people to seek deeper meaning.
Social commentary: Hafez subtly criticizes the hypocrisy of religious leaders and the superficiality of some spiritual practices.
The importance of sincerity: The poet emphasizes the importance of sincerity in one's beliefs and actions.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
هاتفِ غیب: The unseen voice (a reference to divine inspiration)
شجاع: Brave, courageous
محتسب: The censor, a religious police officer
امام: Imam, a religious leader
سجاده: Prayer mat
فسق: Sin
زهد: Asceticism
Some of the nuances that are difficult to fully capture in translation include:
The intricate use of imagery: Hafez often uses multiple layers of symbolism and metaphor to convey his meaning.
The musicality of the Persian language: The sounds and rhythms of the Persian language contribute significantly to the emotional impact of the poem.
Sufi concepts: The poem is rich in Sufi symbolism and concepts, which can be challenging to convey in a different cultural context.
Historical and political references: The ghazal may contain allusions to specific historical events or political figures.