Spending even a moment with sorrow isn't worth the whole world, Ghazal 151 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
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دَمی با غم به سر بردن جهان یک سر نمی‌ارزد
به می بفروش دلقِ ما کز این بهتر نمی‌ارزد
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به کویِ می فروشانش به جامی بر نمی‌گیرند
زهی سجادهٔ تقوا که یک ساغر نمی‌ارزد
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رقیبم سرزنش‌ها کرد کز این باب رُخ برتاب
چه افتاد این سر ما را که خاکِ در نمی‌ارزد؟
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شکوهِ تاجِ سلطانی که بیمِ جان در او دَرج است
کلاهی دلکش است اما به تَرکِ سر نمی‌ارزد
***
چه آسان می‌نمود اول غمِ دریا به بوی سود
غلط کردم که این طوفان به صد گوهر نمی‌ارزد
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تو را آن بِهْ که رویِ خود ز مشتاقان بپوشانی
که شادیِّ جهانگیری، غمِ لشکر نمی‌ارزد
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چو حافظ در قناعت کوش و از دنیایِ دون بگذر
که یک جو مِنَّتِ دونان دو صد من زر نمی‌ارزد
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Description:
English Translation:
Spending even a moment with sorrow isn't worth the whole world,
Sell my robe for wine, for nothing is better than this.
The wine-sellers don't fill my cup at their alley,
What a prayer mat of piety that's not worth a single cup.
My rival reproached me for turning my face away from this path,
What has become of this head of mine that isn't worth the dust of a door?
The splendor of a king's crown, which holds the fear of death within it,
Is a charming hat but not worth losing one's head for.
How easy the sorrow of the sea seemed at first, for the sake of gain,
I was wrong, for this storm isn't worth a hundred pearls.
It's better for you to hide your face from your admirers,
For the joy of kingship is not worth the sorrow of an army.
Strive for contentment, O Hafez, and abandon this lowly world,
For a handful of the lowly's favor is not worth two hundred minas of gold.
English Translation for Ghazal
متن غزل
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez explores themes of the transient nature of worldly pleasures, the importance of spiritual contentment, and the futility of worldly pursuits.
Key Themes:
The Futility of Worldly Pursuits: The poet argues that worldly possessions and power are ultimately meaningless and cannot bring true happiness.
Spiritual Contentment: He emphasizes the importance of finding inner peace and contentment, suggesting that these are far more valuable than material wealth or power.
The Path of Wine: As in many of Hafez's poems, wine is used as a metaphor for spiritual intoxication and divine love.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
ساقی: Cupbearer, often used as a symbol of divine love.
دلق: Robe or cloak
مِی: Wine
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical reflections with vivid imagery. The poet's use of metaphors and similes creates a vivid and evocative picture of the human experience.