Cast a better glance upon the ranks of the revelers, Ghazal 404 by Hafez

Cast a better glance upon the ranks of the revelers, Ghazal 404 by Hafez

By @hamed on October 10, 2024

Cast a better glance upon the ranks of the revelers, Ghazal 404 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez celebrates love, wine, and the carefree pursuit of pleasure. He encourages the reader to embrace the present moment and not be burdened by the concerns of the future.

Key Themes:

Love and passion: The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and the joy of their companionship.
The joy of life: The poet encourages the reader to enjoy life's pleasures and not be burdened by guilt or regret.
Criticism of hypocrisy: Hafez criticizes those who preach morality but do not practice it themselves.


English Translation for Ghazal

Cast a better glance upon the ranks of the revelers
Make a better pass at the tavern door


Your lip does me a favor when it says this
It’s very good, but a little better than this

The one whose thought will unravel the world's knot
Say, “In this matter, do something better than this”

My advisor said, “Love has no art but sorrow”
Go, oh wise man, is there no art better than this?

What should I do if I don’t give my heart to that beloved river?
The mother of time has no better son than this

When I say, “Drink from the cup and kiss the wine-server’s lip”
Listen to me, who will say something better than this?

Hafiz’s pen plucks the sweet fruit of sugar cane
In this garden, you will not find a better fruit than this

Ghazal in Persian

می‌فکن بر صف رندان نظری بهتر از این

بر در میکده می‌کن گذری بهتر از این

 

در حق من لبت این لطف که می‌فرماید

سخت خوب است ولیکن قدری بهتر از این

 

آن که فکرش گره از کار جهان بگشاید

گو در این کار بفرما نظری بهتر از این

 

ناصحم گفت که جز غم چه هنر دارد عشق

برو ای خواجه عاقل هنری بهتر از این؟

 

دل بدان رود گرامی چه کنم گر ندهم؟

مادر دهر ندارد پسری بهتر از این

 

من چو گویم که قدح نوش و لب ساقی بوس

بشنو از من که نگوید دگری بهتر از این

 

کلک حافظ شکرین میوه نباتیست بچین

که در این باغ نبینی ثمری بهتر از این


hamed
@hamed Oct. 10, 2024, 3:59 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

صف رندان: ranks of the revelers
میکده: tavern
ناصح: advisor
قدح: cup

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.