Cool is the fragrant breeze of the incense burner, a delightful scent, Ghazal 416 by Hafez

Cool is the fragrant breeze of the incense burner, a delightful scent, Ghazal 416 by Hafez

By @hamed on October 11, 2024

Cool is the fragrant breeze of the incense burner, a delightful scent, Ghazal 416 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez expresses deep love and longing for his beloved. He uses vivid imagery from nature to describe his emotions and desires.

Key Themes:

Love and longing: The poet expresses an intense longing for his beloved and the joy of companionship.
Spiritual connection: The poet suggests a deep spiritual connection to his beloved, elevating her to a divine status.
Hope and longing for death: The poet expresses a desire to be reunited with his beloved, even in death.


English Translation for Ghazal

Cool is the fragrant breeze of the incense burner, a delightful scent
That rose in the air of your dawn


Be my guide, O auspicious bird of encounter
For my eyes have become water from longing for the dust of that threshold

In remembrance of my frail self, who is drowning in heartache
Look at the crescent moon from the edge of the horizon

I am the one who breathes without you, what a shame
Unless you forgive, otherwise what is the excuse for sin?

From your friends I learned in the path of love
At dawn, when the morning breeze tore open the black banner

On the day I leave this world for your love
Let a red rose bloom from my grave instead of a plant

Do not grow weary of me too soon, delicate heart
For Hafez himself said “Bismillah” at this very moment

Ghazal in Persian

خنک نسیم معنبر شمامه‌ای دلخواه

که در هوای تو برخاست بامداد پگاه

 

دلیل راه شو ای طایر خجسته لقا

که دیده آب شد از شوق خاک آن درگاه

 

به یاد شخص نزارم که غرق خون دل است

هلال را ز کنار افق کنید نگاه

 

منم که بی تو نفس می‌کشم زهی خجلت

مگر تو عفو کنی ور نه چیست عذر گناه

 

ز دوستان تو آموخت در طریقت مهر

سپیده دم که صبا چاک زد شعار سیاه

 

به عشق روی تو روزی که از جهان بروم

ز تربتم بدمد سرخ گل به جای گیاه

 

مده به خاطر نازک ملالت از من زود

که حافظ تو خود این لحظه گفت بسم الله


hamed
@hamed Oct. 11, 2024, 12:19 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

معنبر: incense burner
طایر: bird
هلال: crescent moon
بسم الله: in the name of God (a phrase used at the beginning of any undertaking)

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.