I saw the green field of the sky and the new moon's sickle, Ghazal 407 by Hafez

I saw the green field of the sky and the new moon's sickle, Ghazal 407 by Hafez

By @hamed on October 10, 2024

I saw the green field of the sky and the new moon's sickle, Ghazal 407 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez employs rich imagery and symbolism to explore themes of spirituality, worldly pursuits, and the transient nature of life.

Key Themes:

Spiritual awakening: The poet compares spiritual enlightenment to a harvest and urges the reader to seek a higher purpose.
The dangers of worldly attachments: Hafez warns against the fleeting nature of earthly possessions and the corrupting influence of pride and greed.
The importance of purity: The poet emphasizes the significance of a pure heart and soul in attaining spiritual enlightenment.


English Translation for Ghazal

I saw the green field of the sky and the new moon's sickle
It reminded me of my own harvest and the time of reaping


I said, "O fortune, you slept while the sun rose"
It said, "Despite all this, don't despair of the past"

If you go pure and detached like Messiah to the heavens
A hundred rays will reach the sun from your lamp

Don't rely on the star of the night thief, for this thief
Will steal Kavus' crown and Kaykhusraw's belt

Though gold and ruby earrings may be heavy on the ear
The cycle of beauty is fleeting, heed my advice

Evil eye be far from your mole, for in the arena of beauty
It has launched a ship that has won from the moon and sun

Do not sell the sky's greatness for love
A harvest of moons for a stream, a cluster of Pleiades for two streams

The fire of hypocrisy and pretense will burn the harvest of religion
Hafiz, throw away this woolen robe and go

Ghazal in Persian

مزرعِ سبزِ فلک دیدم و داسِ مه نو

یادم از کِشتهٔ خویش آمد و هنگامِ درو

 

گفتم ای بخت بخفتیدی و خورشید دمید

گفت با این همه از سابقه نومید مشو

 

گر رَوی پاک و مجرد چو مسیحا به فلک

از چراغِ تو به خورشید رسد صد پرتو

 

تکیه بر اخترِ شب‌دزد مکن کاین عیار

تاجِ کاووس ببرد و کمرِ کیخسرو

 

گوشوارِ زر و لعل ار چه گران دارد گوش

دورِ خوبی گذران است نصیحت بشنو

 

چشمِ بد دور ز خالِ تو که در عرصهٔ حسن

بیدقی راند که برد از مه و خورشید گرو

 

آسمان گو مفروش این عظمت کاندر عشق

خرمنِ مه به جُوی خوشهٔ پروین به دو جو

 

آتشِ زهد و ریا خرمنِ دین خواهد سوخت

حافظ این خرقهٔ پشمینه بینداز و برو


hamed
@hamed Oct. 10, 2024, 4:11 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

مزرع: field
داس: sickle
مسیح: Messiah (a symbol of purity and divine inspiration)
کاووس و کیخسرو: legendary Persian kings (symbols of earthly power)

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.