I asked, “When will your lips grant my heart its desire?” Ghazal 198 by Hafez

By @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

گفتم کِی ام دهان و لبت کامران کنند؟

گفتا به چشم هر چه تو گویی چُنان کنند

***

گفتم خَراجِ مصر طلب می‌کند لبت

گفتا در این معامله کمتر زیان کنند

***

گفتم به نقطهٔ دهنت خود که بُرد راه؟

گفت این حکایتیست که با نکته‌دان کنند

***

گفتم صَنم‌پَرست مشو با صَمَد نشین

گفتا به کویِ عشق هم این و هم آن کنند

***

گفتم هوایِ میکده غم می‌بَرَد ز دل

گفتا خوش آن کَسان که دلی شادمان کنند

***

گفتم شراب و خِرقه نه آیینِ مذهب است

گفت این عمل به مذهبِ پیرِ مغان کنند

***

گفتم ز لَعلِ نوش‌ْلبان پیر را چه سود؟

گفتا به بوسهٔ شِکَرینَش جوان کنند

***

گفتم که خواجه کِی به سرِ حجله می‌رود؟

گفت آن زمان که مشتری و مَه قِران کنند

***

گفتم دعایِ دولت او وِردِ حافظ است

گفت این دعا ملایکِ هفت آسمان کنند

***

Description:

English Translation:

I asked, “When will your lips grant my heart its desire?”
She said, “Your eyes will see whatever you wish to see.”

I asked, “Your lips demand the tribute of Egypt,”
She said, “In this trade, they will lose less.”

I asked, “What path did your mole take to your mouth?”
She said, “This is a tale that is told to the discerning.”

I said, “Don’t be an idolater and sit with the Eternal One,”
She said, “In the street of love, both this and that are done.”

I said, “The tavern’s air takes sorrow from the heart,”
She said, “Blessed are those who have a joyful heart.”

I said, “Wine and a robe are not the religion’s way,”
She said, “This act is done according to the religion of the Magi.”

I asked, “What good is wine from ruby lips to the old?”
She said, “With a sweet kiss, they rejuvenate.”

I asked, “When will the master go to the bridal chamber?”
She said, “When Jupiter and the moon are in conjunction.”

I said, “The prayer for his prosperity is Hafez’s constant supplication,”
She said, “This prayer is made by the angels of the seven heavens.”