I have a decree from the old wine-server and an ancient promise, Ghazal 367 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

This ghazāl by Hafez explores the themes of love, spirituality, and the search for meaning. The poet expresses a deep longing for divine love and a sense of disillusionment with worldly pursuits.

Key Themes:

Love and devotion: The poet expresses a profound and unwavering devotion to his beloved.
Spiritual journey: The poet's journey towards spiritual enlightenment is often associated with the path of love.
Disillusionment with worldly pursuits: The poet expresses dissatisfaction with material wealth and worldly pleasures.
The search for meaning: The poet seeks a deeper meaning to life through spiritual connection.


English Translation for Ghazal

I have a decree from the old wine-server and an ancient promise
That wine is forbidden where there is no beloved or companion.


I wish to tear off this cloak of hypocrisy, what can I do?
For the spirit, the company of the impure is a painful torment.

Until perhaps the beloved’s lips will pour a drop upon me
For years I have resided at the tavern door.

Perhaps my long service has been forgotten
O morning breeze, remind him of the old promise.

After a hundred years, if you pass over my grave
Let a lofty cypress rise from my flower, dancing.

The beloved, with a hundred hopes, first stole my heart
Apparently, noble people do not forget promises.

O bud, do not be disheartened by this closed situation
For at dawn you will find help and the breath of the breeze.

O heart, seek improvement from another source
A lover’s pain cannot be cured by a physician.

Learn the jewel of knowledge to carry with you
For gold and silver are the portion of others.

The trap is strong unless the beloved shows divine mercy
Otherwise, man will not benefit from the evil Satan.

Hafez, if you have no gold or silver, be grateful
What is better than the wealth of eloquent speech and a sound mind?

Ghazal in Persian

فتوی پیرِ مُغان دارم و قولیست قدیم

که حرام است مِی آنجا که نه یار است ندیم

 

چاک خواهم زدن این دلقِ ریایی، چه کنم؟

روح را صحبتِ ناجنس عذابیست الیم

 

تا مگر جرعه فشانَد لبِ جانان بر من

سال‌ها شد که منم بر درِ میخانه مقیم

 

مگرش خدمتِ دیرین من از یاد برفت

ای نسیم سحری یاد دَهَش عهدِ قدیم

 

بعد صد سال اگر بر سرِ خاکم گذری

سر برآرد ز گِلم رقص کنان عَظمِ رَمیم

 

دلبر از ما به صد امّید سِتد اول دل

ظاهرا عهد فرامُش نَکُنَد خلقِ کریم

 

غنچه گو تنگدل از کارِ فروبسته مَباش

کز دم صبح مدد یابی و انفاسِ نسیم

 

فکر بهبود خود ای دل ز دری دیگر کن

درد عاشق نشود به، به مداوایِ حکیم

 

گوهرِ معرفت آموز که با خود بِبَری

که نصیبِ دگران است نِصابِ زر و سیم

 

دام سخت است مگر یار شود لطفِ خدا

ور نه آدم نَبَرد صرفه ز شیطانِ رجیم

 

حافظ ار سیم و زرت نیست چه شد؟ شاکر باش

چه به از دولتِ لطفِ سخن و طَبع سلیم


hamed
@hamed Oct. 9, 2024, 6:56 a.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

مِی: Wine
مغان: Magians (Zoroastrian priests), often used to refer to wine servers or spiritual guides.
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.