If I pursue him, he will stir up troubles, Ghazal 155 by Hfez
If I pursue him, he will stir up troubles, Ghazal 155 by Hfez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
اگر روم ز پِی‌اش فتنه‌ها برانگیزد
ور از طلب بنشینم به کینه برخیزد
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و گر به رهگذری یک دَم از وفاداری
چو گَرد در پِی‌اش افتم چو باد بُگْریزد
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و گر کنم طلبِ نیم بوسه صد افسوس
ز حُقِّهٔ دهنش چون شکر فرو ریزد
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من آن فریب که در نرگسِ تو می‌بینم
بس آبروی که با خاک ره برآمیزد
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من آن فریب که در نرگسِ تو می‌بینم
بس آبروی که با خاک ره برآمیزد
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فراز و شیب بیابان عشق، دامِ بلاست
کجاست شیردلی کز بلا نپرهیزد
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تو عمر خواه و صبوری که چرخِ شعبده باز
هزار بازی از این طُرفه‌تر برانگیزد
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بر آستانهٔ تسلیم سر بِنِه حافظ
که گر ستیزه کنی، روزگار بستیزد
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Description:
English Translation:
If I pursue him, he will stir up troubles,
And if I cease from seeking him, resentment will arise.
Even if in passing I show a moment of loyalty,
Like dust I'll be scattered in his wake like the wind.
And if I ask for half a kiss, alas,
Like sugar, it will crumble from the sweetness of his lips.
That deceit I see in your narcissus,
Will mix much honor with the dust of the road.
The ups and downs of the desert of love are a trap of calamity,
Where is the lionheart that does not flee from calamity?
Desire life and patience, for the deceitful wheel of fortune
Will stir up even stranger games than this.
Bow your head at the threshold of surrender, Hafez,
For if you fight, time will fight.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships.
Key Themes:
Unrequited Love: The poet expresses the pain of unrequited love and the challenges of pursuing a beloved.
The Fickleness of Fortune: The ghazal highlights the unpredictable nature of fate and the futility of fighting against it.
The Path of Surrender: The poet suggests that surrendering to one's fate and accepting the impermanence of life is the path to inner peace.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
فتنه: Trouble, turmoil
حُقّه: A small bowl or cup
نرگس: Narcissus, often used as a metaphor for the beloved's eyes
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep emotional expression with rich imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience.