O parrot, eloquent speaker of secrets, Ghazal 245 by Hafez
O parrot, eloquent speaker of secrets, Ghazal 245 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
الا ای طوطیِ گویا‌یِ اسرار
مبادا خالی‌ات شِکَّر ز مِنقار
***
سَرَت سبز و دلت خوش باد جاوید
که خوش نقشی نمودی از خطِ یار
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سخن سربسته گفتی با حریفان
خدا را زین معما پرده بردار
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به رویِ ما زن از ساغر گلابی
که خواب آلوده‌ایم ای بختِ بیدار
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چه رَه بود این که زد در پرده مطرب
که می‌رقصند با هم مست و هشیار
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از آن افیون که ساقی در مِی افکند
حریفان را نه سَر مانَد نه دَستار
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سِکَندَر را نمی‌بخشند آبی
به زور و زر مُیَسَّر نیست این کار
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بیا و حالِ اهلِ درد بشنو
به لفظِ اندک و معنی بسیار
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بُتِ چینی عدویِ دین و دل‌هاست
خداوندا دل و دینم نگه دار
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به مستور‌ان مگو اسرارِ مستی
حدیثِ جان مگو با نقشِ دیوار
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به یُمنِ دولتِ منصور شاهی
عَلَم شد حافظ اندر نظمِ اشعار
***
خداوندی به جایِ بندگان کرد
خداوندا ز آفاتش نگه دار
***
Description:
English Translation:
O parrot, eloquent speaker of secrets,
May your beak never be empty of sugar.
May your head be green and your heart eternally happy,
For you have beautifully depicted the lines of your beloved.
You have spoken enigmatically with your companions,
For God's sake, draw the curtain from this riddle.
Pour from the rosy goblet upon our faces,
For we are drowsy, O wakeful fortune.
What path was this that struck the lute player's curtain,
That both the drunk and the sober dance together?
From that opium that the wine server casts into the wine,
Neither the companions' heads nor turbans remain.
Alexander was not granted water,
This cannot be achieved by force or gold.
Come and hear the state of the afflicted,
With few words but profound meaning.
The porcelain idol is the enemy of religion and hearts,
O God, protect my heart and my faith.
Do not reveal the secrets of intoxication to the uninitiated,
Do not speak of the heart's discourse to the wall.
Due to the fortune of the victorious king,
Hafez has become a standard-bearer in poetry.
God has made him the equal of the servants,
O God, protect him from his afflictions.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, spirituality, and the complexities of human nature. He uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey his intense emotions and philosophical musings.
Key Themes:
Love and Longing: The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and the joy that comes from their love.
Spirituality and Mysticism: Hafez explores the nature of divine love and the search for spiritual truth.
Hypocrisy and Sincerity: The poet contrasts the sincerity of his love with the hypocrisy of others.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
طوطی: Parrot
مِنقار: Beak
رَباب: Lute
افیون: Opium
سِکَندَر: Alexander the Great
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.
Cultural references: Many of Hafez's poems, including this one, contain allusions to Persian history, literature, and mythology.