In the tavern of the Ma gi, my beloved arrived, cup in hand: Ghazal 27 by Hafez
In the tavern of the Ma gi, my beloved arrived, cup in hand: Ghazal 27 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
در دیرِ مغان آمد، یارم قدحی در دست
مست از می و میخواران از نرگسِ مستش مست
***
در نعلِ سمندِ او شکلِ مهِ نو پیدا
وز قدِ بلندِ او بالایِ صنوبر، پست
***
آخر به چه گویم هست از خود خبرم، چون نیست
وز بَهرِ چه گویم نیست با وی نظرم، چون هست
***
شمعِ دلِ دمسازم، بنشست چو او برخاست
و افغان ز نظربازان، برخاست چو او بنشست
***
گر غالیه خوش بو شد، در گیسویِ او پیچید
ور وَسمه کمانکش گشت، در ابروی او پیوست
***
بازآی که بازآید عمرِ شدهٔ حافظ
هرچند که ناید باز، تیری که بِشُد از شست
***
Description:
English Translation
In the tavern of the Magi, my beloved arrived, cup in hand,
Drunk from wine, and the drunkards are intoxicated by her intoxicating narcissus.
In the horseshoe of her steed, the shape of the new moon is visible,
And the cypress tree is short compared to her tall stature.
How can I say that I know myself when I don't?
And for what reason should I say that I don’t look at her when I do?
The candle of my heart, my companion, went out when she arose,
And the sighs of the lovelorn arose when she sat down.
If musk became fragrant, it twisted in her hair,
And if kohl became a bow, it joined her eyebrow.
Come back, for Hafez's passing life may return,
Although the arrow that has left the finger may not return.
A Brief Explanation of the Translation
Divine Love and Wine: This ghazal is a celebration of divine love, often symbolized by wine in Sufi poetry.
Beauty of the Beloved: The beloved is described in highly poetic and sensual terms.
The Tavern of the Magi: This is a symbolic place in Sufi literature, representing a spiritual gathering or state of enlightenment.
Key Themes:
Love and Devotion: The poet expresses deep devotion to his beloved.
Spiritual Ecstasy: The imagery suggests a state of spiritual intoxication or enlightenment.
The Beauty of the Beloved: The beloved is described as possessing unparalleled beauty.
Some key Persian words and their nuances that are difficult to fully capture in English:
دیر مغان: Tavern of the Magi, a symbolic place for spiritual gathering.
نرگس: Narcissus, often used to symbolize the beloved's eyes.
سمند: A fine steed, often used as a metaphor for a beloved.
غزل: A type of Persian lyric poem, often about love.
وسمه: Kohl, a black cosmetic used to darken the eyelids.