Blessed be the memory of those secret glances you gave me, Ghazal 204 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 4 2

یاد باد آن که نَهانَت نظری با ما بود

رَقَمِ مِهرِ تو بر چهرهٔ ما پیدا بود

***

یاد باد آن که چو چَشمت به عِتابم می‌کُشت

مُعْجِزِ عیسَویَت در لبِ شِکَّرخا بود

***

یاد باد آن که صَبوحی زده در مجلسِ انس

جز من و یار نبودیم و خدا با ما بود

***

یاد باد آن که رُخَت شمعِ طَرَب می‌افروخت

وین دلِ سوخته پروانهٔ ناپروا بود

***

یاد باد آن که در آن بزمگَهِ خُلق و ادب

آن که او خندهٔ مستانه زدی صَهبا بود

***

یاد باد آن که چو یاقوتِ قدح خنده زدی

در میانِ من و لعلِ تو حکایت‌ها بود

***

یاد باد آن که نگارم چو کمر بَربَستی

در رکابش مَهِ نو پیکِ جهان پیما بود

***

یاد باد آن که خرابات نشین بودم و مست

وآنچه در مسجدم امروز کم است آنجا بود

***

یاد باد آن که به اصلاحِ شما می‌شد راست

نظمِ هر گوهرِ ناسُفته که حافظ را بود

***


Description:

English Translation:

Blessed be the memory of those secret glances you gave me,
When your love's signature was evident on my face.

Blessed be the memory of when your reproachful gaze would slay me,
Like the miraculous healing of Jesus in your sweet-lipped words.

Blessed be the memory of when we drank wine together in a gathering of friends,
Just you and I, and God was with us.

Blessed be the memory of when your face lit up like a joyous candle,
And this burning heart was a careless moth.

Blessed be the memory of that gathering of good manners and refinement,
Where you laughed a drunken laugh over wine.

Blessed be the memory of when your smile like a ruby in a goblet,
There were many tales between me and your ruby lips.

Blessed be the memory of when my beloved girded her waist,
And the new moon, a messenger of the world, was at her stirrup.

Blessed be the memory of when I was a tavern dweller and drunk,
And what I lack in my mosque today was there.

Blessed be the memory of when, with your correction,
The order of every unpolished gem that Hafez had was made right.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Sept. 6, 2024, 4:37 a.m.

Analysis of the Ghazal

This ghazal by Hafez is a beautiful evocation of romantic longing, spiritual connection, and the joy of companionship. Here's a breakdown of some of the key themes and imagery:

Nostalgia and longing: The poet expresses a deep yearning for past experiences, particularly those involving his beloved.
Divine love: The presence of God is invoked, suggesting a spiritual dimension to the love being described.
Wine and revelry: The imagery of wine and gatherings implies a sense of freedom and escape from the constraints of the world.
Poetic craft: The poet's skill is evident in the intricate use of imagery and metaphor, comparing his beloved to a candle, a rose, and the moon.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 6, 2024, 4:37 a.m.

Key terms and their nuances:

نظری: Glance
رقم: Signature
صبوحی: Wine-drinker
بزم: Gathering, feast
خلق و ادب: Good manners and refinement
یاقوت: Ruby

Overall, this ghazal paints a vivid picture of a passionate love affair and the enduring power of memory. The poet uses rich language and imagery to convey the depth of his emotions, inviting the reader to share in his nostalgia and longing.