At dawn, I went to the garden to breathe the scent of the rose garden, Ghazal 295 by Hafez
At dawn, I went to the garden to breathe the scent of the rose garden, Ghazal 295 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
سَحَر به بویِ گلستان دَمی شدم در باغ
که تا چو بلبلِ بیدل کُنَم عِلاجِ دِماغ
***
به جلوهٔ گلِ سوری نگاه می‌کردم
که بود در شبِ تیره به روشنی چو چراغ
***
چُنان به حُسن و جوانیِ خویشتن مغرور
که داشت از دلِ بلبل هزار گونه فَراغ
***
گشاده نرگسِ رعنا ز حسرت آب از چشم
نهاده لاله ز سودا به جان و دل صد داغ
***
زبان کشیده چو تیغی به سرزنش سوسن
دهان گُشاده شقایق چو مردمِ ایغاغ
***
یکی چو باده پرستان صُراحی اندر دست
یکی چو ساقیِ مستان به کف گرفته اَیاغ
***
نشاط و عیش و جوانی چو گُل غنیمت دان
که حافظا نَبُوَد بر رسول غیر بَلاغ
***
Description:
English Translation:
At dawn, I went to the garden to breathe the scent of the rose garden
So that like a lovelorn nightingale, I could cure my heartache.
I gazed at the radiant beauty of the red rose
Which shone like a lamp in the dark night.
So proud of its beauty and youth
That it had forgotten the heart of the nightingale entirely.
The beautiful narcissus opened its eye with sorrow, tears in its eye
The tulip placed a hundred wounds on its heart and soul with melancholy.
The lily spoke like a sharp sword, reproaching the hyacinth
The poppy opened its mouth like a deceitful person.
One, like a wine drinker, held a flask in its hand
Another, like a wine server, held a goblet in its hand.
Consider youth, joy, and life as precious as a flower
For, Hafez, there is no messenger other than a message.
Explanation of the Ghazal
This ghazal by Hafez is a beautiful description of a garden and the various flowers within it. However, Hafez uses these natural elements as metaphors to convey deeper meanings about human emotions and experiences.
Key Themes:
The beauty of nature: The poet paints a vivid picture of a beautiful garden, using it as a metaphor for life and beauty.
Human emotions: The flowers in the garden are personified and are used to represent various human emotions, such as pride, sorrow, and deceit.
The transience of life: The poet reminds us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of enjoying the present moment.
The power of love: The nightingale's love for the rose is a central theme, symbolizing the power of love and its ability to cause both joy and pain.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
بلبل: Nightingale, often used as a symbol of the lover
گل سوری: Red rose
نرجس: Narcissus, a flower often associated with pride
لاله: Tulip, often associated with sorrow
سوسن: Lily
شقایق: Poppy
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.