One who beholds the beauty and the line of the beloved: Ghazal 116 by Hafez

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

کسی که حُسن و خَطِ دوست در نظر دارد

محقق است که او حاصل بصر دارد

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چو خامه در رهِ فرمانِ او، سرِ طاعت

نهاده‌ایم مگر او به تیغ بردارد

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کسی به وصلِ تو چون شمع یافت پروانه

که زیرِ تیغِ تو هر دم سری دگر دارد

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به پای‌بوس تو دستِ کسی رسید که او

چو آستانه بدین در، همیشه سر دارد

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ز زهدِ خشک ملولم‌، کجاست بادهٔ ناب‌؟

که بویِ باده مدامم دماغ تر دارد

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ز باده هیچت اگر نیست، این نه بس که تو را

دمی ز وسوسهٔ عقل بی‌خبر دارد؟

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کسی که از رهِ تقوا قدم برون ننهاد

به عزمِ میکده اکنون رهِ سفر دارد

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دل‌ِ شکسته حافظ به خاک خواهد برد

چو لاله، داغ هوایی‌، که بر جگر دارد

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Description:

English Translation:

One who beholds the beauty and the line of the beloved
Is surely certain to have a keen sight.

Like a pen under his command, we have bowed our heads in obedience,
Unless perhaps he intends to take our heads with a sword.

Like a moth, one finds union with you,
For under your sword, a new head emerges every moment.

The hand of one who reaches to kiss your feet
Always has its head bowed like a threshold to this door.

I am weary of dry asceticism, where is the pure wine?
For the scent of wine constantly makes my brain thirsty.

If you have nothing from wine, is it not enough that you
Are for a moment unaware of the temptation of reason?

One who has not stepped outside the path of piety
Now has the journey of the tavern as his aim.


English Translation for Ghazal

English translation for Ghazal.

متن غزل

Original poem in Persian

hamed
@hamed Aug. 12, 2024, 4:33 p.m.

Explanation of the Ghazal

In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of love, devotion, and the tension between spiritual and worldly desires. He uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey his feelings of longing and passion.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 12, 2024, 4:33 p.m.

Key Themes:

Love and Devotion: The poet expresses a deep devotion to his beloved, comparing their relationship to that of a pen and its writer.
Spiritual and Worldly Desires: The poet explores the tension between spiritual pursuits and worldly desires, particularly the desire for wine and love.
The Power of Beauty: The poet emphasizes the power of the beloved's beauty to captivate and control.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 12, 2024, 4:33 p.m.

Key Persian terms and their nuances:

حُسن: Beauty
خَط: Line, curve (often referring to the curve of the beloved's eyebrow or hair)
باده: Wine (often used as a metaphor for divine love)

hamed
@hamed Aug. 12, 2024, 4:34 p.m.

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.