If a thousand enemies intend to kill me, Ghazal 300 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
|
10
4
هزار دشمنم اَر می‌کنند قصدِ هلاک
گَرَم تو دوستی از دشمنان ندارم باک
***
مرا امیدِ وِصالِ تو زنده می‌دارد
و گر نه هر دَمَم از هجرِ توست بیمِ هلاک
***
نَفَس نَفَس اگر از باد نَشنوم بویش
زمان زمان چو گل از غم کُنَم گریبان چاک
***
رَوَد به خواب، دو چشم از خیالِ تو؟ هیهات
بُوَد صبور، دل اندر فِراقِ تو؟ حاشاک
***
اگر تو زخم زَنی، بِهْ که دیگری مَرهم
و گر تو زَهر دهی، بِهْ که دیگری تریاک
***
بِضَربِ سَیْفِکَ قَتْلی حَیاتُنا اَبدا
لِأنَّ روحیَ قَدْ طابَ اَن یَکونَ فِداک
***
عِنان مَپیچ که گر می‌زنی به شمشیرم
سِپر کُنَم سر و دستت ندارم از فِتراک
***
تو را چُنان که تویی هر نظر کجا بیند
به قَدرِ دانشِ خود هر کسی کند اِدراک
***
به چَشمِ خَلق، عزیزِ جهان شود حافظ
که بر درِ تو نَهَد رویِ مَسکَنَت بر خاک
***
Description:
English Translation:
If a thousand enemies intend to kill me
I care not for enemies as long as I have your friendship.
The hope of your reunion keeps me alive
Otherwise, every moment I fear death from separation.
If I do not smell your scent with every breath
Moment by moment, like a flower, I will tear my garment in sorrow.
Can my eyes sleep, dreaming of you? Never!
Can my heart be patient in your separation? Impossible!
If you wound me, it is better than another’s healing
And if you give me poison, it is better than another’s antidote.
By the strike of your sword, kill me forever
For my soul is ready to be sacrificed for you.
Do not rein in your horse, even if you strike me with your sword
I will shield your head and hands, I have no fear of arrows.
Whoever sees you as you are, sees you uniquely
Each person understands according to their own knowledge.
Hafez will become precious in the eyes of the world
For he has placed his head at your door as a dwelling.
English Translation for Ghazal
متن غزل
Explanation of the Ghazal
This ghazal by Hafez is a profound expression of love, devotion, and surrender to a beloved. The poet conveys an intense longing for union with his beloved, and is willing to endure any pain or suffering for their sake.
Key Themes:
Unconditional love: The poet expresses a deep and unconditional love for their beloved.
Longing and separation: The poet is consumed by longing for their beloved and the pain of separation.
Surrender: The poet is willing to surrender their life and everything they have for their beloved.
The beauty of the beloved: The poet extols the beauty and perfection of their beloved.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
وِصال: Reunion
هجر: Separation
نَفَس: Breath
زخم: Wound
زَهر: Poison
سَیْف: Sword
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.