The solitary ascetic went to the tavern last night, Ghazal 170 by Hafez
The solitary ascetic went to the tavern last night, Ghazal 170 by Hafez
By
@hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi
زاهدِ خلوت‌نشین، دوش به مِی‌خانه شد
از سرِ پیمان بِرَفت، با سرِ پیمانه شد
***
صوفیِ مجلس که دی، جام و قدح می‌شکست
باز به یک جرعه می، عاقل و فرزانه شد
***
شاهدِ عهدِ شباب، آمده بودش به خواب
باز به پیرانه سر، عاشق و دیوانه شد
***
مُغْبَچه‌ای می‌گذشت، راه‌زنِ دین و دل
در پِیِ آن آشنا، از همه بی‌گانه شد
***
آتشِ رخسارِ گل، خرمنِ بلبل بسوخت
چهرهٔ خندانِ شمع، آفتِ پروانه شد
***
گریهٔ شام و سحر، شُکر که ضایع نگشت
قطرهٔ بارانِ ما، گوهرِ یک‌دانه شد
***
نرگسِ ساقی بِخوانْد، آیتِ افسون‌گری
حلقهٔ اورادِ ما، مجلسِ افسانه شد
***
منزلِ حافظ کنون، بارگهِ پادشاست
دل بَرِ دل‌دار رفت، جان بَرِ جانانه شد
***
Description:
English Translation:
The solitary ascetic went to the tavern last night,
He broke his vows and embraced the cup.
The Sufi of the gathering, who once broke glasses and cups,
Became wise and sage with a single sip of wine.
The witness of youth's era had come to him in a dream,
And now, in his old age, he has become a lover and madman.
A coquettish girl passed by, a robber of faith and heart,
In pursuit of that familiar one, she became estranged from all.
The fire of the rose's face burned the nightingale's haystack,
The smiling face of the candle became a calamity for the moth.
The tears of night and morning, thank God, were not wasted,
Our drop of rain became a single pearl.
The narcissus-eyed cupbearer called out, a verse of enchantment,
Our circle of prayers became a gathering of tales.
Hafez's abode is now the court of a king,
The heart went to the heart's beloved, the soul to the soul's beloved.
Explanation of the Ghazal
In this ghazal, Hafez subverts traditional religious and social norms. He describes how people who were once considered pious or wise have become involved in worldly pleasures and love.
Key Themes:
Irony and Paradox: The poem is filled with ironic situations, such as the ascetic drinking wine and the Sufi becoming a lover.
The Power of Love: Love is portrayed as a powerful force that can transform even the most devout.
The Unity of Opposites: Hafez suggests that opposites, such as piety and worldly pleasures, are not mutually exclusive.
Key Persian terms and nuances:
زاهد: Ascetic
صوفی: Sufi
مغبچه: Coquettish girl
نرگس: Narcissus (a type of flower, often used to describe beautiful eyes)
آیت: Verse, sign
This ghazal is a beautiful example of Hafez's poetic mastery, combining deep philosophical insights with vivid imagery. The poet's use of irony and paradox challenges traditional beliefs and invites the reader to question the nature of reality.