If her hand draws her sword against me, I will not resist, Ghazal 331 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 5 4

غمِ گیتی گر از پایم درآرد

بجز ساغر که باشد دستگیرم؟

***

به گیسویِ تو خوردم دوش سوگند

که من از پایِ تو سر بر نگیرم

***

به تیغم گَر کشد دستش نگیرم

وگر تیرم زَنَد منّت پذیرم

***

برآی ای آفتابِ صبحِ امّید

که در دستِ شبِ هجران اسیرم

***

بسوز این خرقهٔ تقوا تو حافظ

که گر آتش شَوَم در وی نگیرم

***

کمانِ ابرویت را گو بزن تیر

که پیشِ دست و بازویت بمیرم

***

به فریادم رَس ای پیرِ خرابات

به یک جرعه جوانم کن که پیرم

***


Description:

This ghazal by Hafez is a passionate love poem that expresses the poet's devotion to his beloved and his willingness to endure any pain for their sake. The poet uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey the intensity of his emotions.

Key Themes:

Devotion to the beloved: The poet is deeply devoted to his beloved and is willing to endure any hardship for their love.
The pain of love: The poet experiences the pain of love and the challenges of separation.
The power of love: The poet acknowledges the power of love to both heal and wound.
The poet's vulnerability: The poet presents himself as vulnerable and dependent on the beloved's love.


English Translation for Ghazal

If her hand draws her sword against me, I will not resist
And if she shoots her arrow, I will be grateful.

Tell your eyebrow's bow to fire an arrow
So that I may die before your hand and arm.

If the world's sorrow brings me to my knees
What else but the goblet will be my support?

Arise, O sun of the morning of hope
For I am captive in the hands of the night of separation.

Come to my aid, O old man of the tavern
With a single draught, make me young again, for I am old.

I swore by your tresses yesterday
That I will never turn away from your feet.

Burn this robe of piety, O Hafez
For even if I become fire, I will not be consumed in it.

متن غزل

به تیغم گَر کشد دستش نگیرم

وگر تیرم زَنَد منّت پذیرم

 

کمانِ ابرویت را گو بزن تیر

که پیشِ دست و بازویت بمیرم

 

غمِ گیتی گر از پایم درآرد

بجز ساغر که باشد دستگیرم؟

 

برآی ای آفتابِ صبحِ امّید

که در دستِ شبِ هجران اسیرم

 

به فریادم رَس ای پیرِ خرابات

به یک جرعه جوانم کن که پیرم

 

به گیسویِ تو خوردم دوش سوگند

که من از پایِ تو سر بر نگیرم

 

بسوز این خرقهٔ تقوا تو حافظ

که گر آتش شَوَم در وی نگیرم


hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:20 p.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal

This ghazal by Hafez is a passionate love poem that expresses the poet's devotion to his beloved and his willingness to endure any pain for their sake. The poet uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey the intensity of his emotions.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:20 p.m.

Key Themes:

Devotion to the beloved: The poet is deeply devoted to his beloved and is willing to endure any hardship for their love.
The pain of love: The poet experiences the pain of love and the challenges of separation.
The power of love: The poet acknowledges the power of love to both heal and wound.
The poet's vulnerability: The poet presents himself as vulnerable and dependent on the beloved's love.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:20 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

تیر: Arrow
ساغر: Goblet
خرقه: Robe

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 7:21 p.m.

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.