If you don't drink wine to the sound of the nightingale and dove, Ghazal 430 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

No lines yet


Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez invites us to embrace life, pleasure, and spirituality. He criticizes worldly ambitions and reminds us of the transient nature of life.

Key Themes:

Carpe diem: The theme of seizing the day and enjoying life is prominent.
Spiritual journey: The poet uses the imagery of wine and the tavern to symbolize a spiritual quest.
The transience of life: The poem emphasizes the impermanence of worldly possessions and the importance of spiritual pursuits.


English Translation for Ghazal

If you don't drink wine to the sound of the nightingale and dove
How can I treat you? The final cure is useless


Store up some of the color and fragrance of spring
For the robbers of Bahman and Day are on their way

When the rose lifts its veil and the bird cries out
What will you do, clinging so tightly to the cup?

What stability has the glory of kingship and beauty ever given?
Only a tale of the throne of Jam remains, and whose crown?

The treasury is the inheritance of the infidels
According to the words of the musician and the wine-server, with the verdict of the tambourine and the flute

Time gives nothing that it doesn’t take back
Don’t seek generosity from the base, for the evil is nothing

It is written on the porch of the heavenly paradise
That whoever buys the coquetry of this world, woe to him

Let’s not speak, let’s drink wine, where is the wine?
Give it to the soul and spirit of Hatem Tai

The miser does not hear the scent of God, come, Hafez
Take the cup and be generous, and let Ali be your guarantor

Ghazal in Persian

به صوت بلبل و قمری اگر ننوشی می

علاج کی کنمت؟ آخرالدواء الکی

 

ذخیره‌ای بنه از رنگ و بوی فصل بهار

که می‌رسند ز پی رهزنان بهمن و دی

 

چو گل نقاب برافکند و مرغ زد هوهو

منه ز دست پیاله چه می‌کنی هی هی

 

شکوه سلطنت و حسن کی ثباتی داد؟

ز تخت جم سخنی مانده است و افسر کی

 

خزینه داری میراث خوارگان کفر است

به قول مطرب و ساقی به فتوی دف و نی

 

زمانه هیچ نبخشد که بازنستاند

مجو ز سفله مروت که شیئه لا شی

 

نوشته‌اند بر ایوان جنه الماوی

که هر که عشوه دنیی خرید وای به وی

 

سخا نماند سخن طی کنم شراب کجاست

بده به شادی روح و روان حاتم طی

 

بخیل بوی خدا نشنود بیا حافظ

پیاله گیر و کرم ورز و الضمان علی


hamed
@hamed Oct. 11, 2024, 4:18 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

بلبل: nightingale
قمری: dove
بهمن و دی: two winter months in the Persian calendar
جم: a legendary Persian king
حاتم طایی: a legendary Arab chief known for his generosity
علی: the cousin and son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, a revered figure in Islam

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.