For over forty years, I’ve boasted, Ghazal 343 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 5 1

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Description:

This ghazal by Hafez is a deeply personal and reflective poem. The poet expresses his disappointment with the world and his longing for spiritual freedom.

Key Themes:

Disillusionment: The poet expresses disillusionment with the world and its people.
Longing for freedom: The poet longs to escape the constraints of worldly life and find spiritual liberation.
Criticism of society: The poet criticizes the hypocrisies and superficialities of society.
The poet's role: The poet reflects on his own role in the world and his relationship with God.


English Translation for Ghazal

For over forty years, I’ve boasted
That I am the least of the old wine-seller’s servants.

Never, thanks to the affection of the old wine-seller,
Has my cup been empty of clear, bright wine.

Due to the rank of love and the wealth of pure dervishes,
The head of the gatherings has always been my dwelling.

Do not suspect that I am unworthy of enduring pain
For though my robe is stained, my heart is pure.

O royal falcon, what is this state?
That they have forgotten the air of my perch.

It is a pity that a nightingale like me is now in this cage
With this sweet tongue, now silent as a lily.

The air and climate of Fars is strangely base-breeding
Where is a companion? That I may strike my tent from this soil.

Hafez, how long will you carry a cup beneath your robe?
I will lift the veil from your affairs at the master’s banquet.

O auspicious Turan Shah, in me, the Yazid of virtue
Has made your favors a collar around my neck.

متن غزل

چِل سال بیش رفت که من لاف می‌زنم

کز چاکرانِ پیرِ مُغان کمترین منم

 

هرگز به یُمنِ عاطِفَتِ پیرِ مِی فروش

ساغر تُهی نشد ز مِیِ صافِ روشنم

 

از جاهِ عشق و دولتِ رندانِ پاکباز

پیوسته صدرِ مَصطَبِه‌ها بود مَسکَنَم

 

در شانِ من به دُردکَشی ظَنِّ بَد مَبَر

کآلوده گشت جامه، ولی پاکدامنم

 

شهبازِ دست پادشهم، این چه حالت است؟

کز یاد بُرده‌اند هوایِ نشیمنم

 

حیف است بلبلی چو من اکنون در این قفس

با این لسانِ عَذب، که خامُش چو سوسنم

 

آب و هوای فارس عجب سِفله پرور است

کو همرهی؟ که خیمه از این خاک بَرکَنَم

 

حافظ به زیرِ خرقه قَدَح تا به کِی کشی؟

در بزمِ خواجه پرده ز کارَت برافکنم

 

تورانشهِ خجسته که در من یَزیدِ فضل

شد مِنَّتِ مَواهب او طوقِ گردنم


hamed
@hamed Oct. 8, 2024, 3:23 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

پیرِ مِی فروش: Old wine-seller (a metaphor for a spiritual guide)
مَصطَبَه: A raised platform or seat
شهباز: Royal falcon (a metaphor for a king or powerful person)
تورانشه: A legendary Persian king
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.