At dawn, the tavern's caller, seeking prosperity, Ghazal 488 by Hafez

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At dawn, the tavern's caller, seeking prosperity, Ghazal 488 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 10 1

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez delves into themes of spirituality, worldly attachments, and the pursuit of true knowledge. He uses vivid imagery and Sufi symbolism to convey his message.

Key Themes:

Spiritual journey: Hafez encourages the seeker to embark on a spiritual quest and to seek divine knowledge.
Worldly attachments: He warns against the dangers of being overly attached to worldly possessions and power.
The importance of humility: The poet emphasizes the importance of humility and detachment from worldly desires.

English Translation for Ghazal

At dawn, the tavern's caller, seeking prosperity,
Said, "Come back, for this threshold is ancient"


Like Jamshid, drink from our cup, so that from the secret of the two worlds
The ray of the world-seeing cup may give you knowledge

At the tavern door are the wandering dervishes
Who take away and give the crown of kingship

With a brick under your head and your feet on the seven stars
Behold the hand of power and the position of the mighty

Our head and the tavern door, whose roof
Has reached the sky and its wall is so short

Don't cross this stage without the companionship of Khidr
It is darkness, beware of the danger of going astray

If they give you the kingdom of poverty, O heart
Your smallest province would be from the moon to the fish

Don't let go of the breath of poverty
The seat of a chamberlain and the court of Turan

O naïve Hafez, be ashamed of this story
What have you done to deserve the heavenly paradise?

متن غزل

سحرم هاتف میخانه به دولت‌خواهی

گفت بازآی که دیرینه این درگاهی

 

همچو جم جرعه ما کش که ز سرّ دو جهان

پرتو جام جهان‌بین دهدت آگاهی

 

بر در میکده رندان قلندر باشند

که ستانند و دهند افسر شاهنشاهی

 

خشتْ زیر سر و بر تارک هفت‌اختر پای

دست قدرت نگر و منصب صاحب جاهی

 

سر ما و در میخانه که طرف بامش

به فلک بر شد و دیوار بدین کوتاهی

 

قطع این مرحله بی‌همرهی خضر مکن

ظلمات است بترس از خطر گمراهی

 

اگرت سلطنت فقر ببخشند ای دل

کمترین ملک تو از ماه بود تا ماهی

 

تو دم فقر ندانی زدن از دست مده

مسند خواجگی و مجلس تورانشاهی

 

حافظِ خام‌طمع شرمی از این قصّه بدار

عملت چیست که فردوس برین می‌خواهی‌؟

hamed
@hamed Oct. 12, 2024, 9:24 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

هاتف: caller, often used to refer to a spiritual guide
جم: Jamshid, a legendary Persian king
خضر: a mythical figure in Islamic tradition, often associated with guidance and immortality
توران: a legendary land in Persian mythology, often associated with enemies

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.

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