Though we are servants of the King, Ghazal 381 by Hafez

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Though we are servants of the King, Ghazal 381 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

This ghazāl by Hafez explores complex themes of power, spirituality, and human nature. The poet presents a paradoxical image of himself and his companions as both powerful and humble, spiritual and sinful.

Key Themes:

Power and humility: The poet juxtaposes images of kingship and servitude, suggesting a complex understanding of power and authority.
Spiritual seeking: The poet's journey towards spiritual enlightenment is often associated with the path of love.
Dual nature of man: The poem explores the contradictory aspects of human nature, such as the coexistence of good and evil.
The tavern as a symbol: The tavern is often used as a metaphor for a place of spiritual enlightenment.

English Translation for Ghazal

Though we are servants of the King
We are the kings of the morning realm.

With a treasure in our sleeve and an empty purse
We are the mirror of the world and the dust of the road.

Awake and aware, yet intoxicated with pride
We are the sea of unity, yet drowned in sin.

When the witness of fortune plays its tricks
We, like the moon, are the mirror of the face.

Every night, we guard the crown
and the turban of the wakeful king of fortune.

Say that our companionship is precious
For you are asleep and we are at the watchtower.

Mansoor the victorious knows that we
Wherever we set our intention,

We will make our enemies a shroud of blood
And give our friends the robe of victory.

There is no room for hypocrisy before us
We are red lions and black vipers.

Hafez, say that they should repay the loan
You have confessed, and we are pearls.

Ghazal in Persian

گرچه ما بندگان پادشهیم

پادشاهان ملک صبحگهیم

 

گنج در آستین و کیسه تهی

جام گیتی نما و خاک رهیم

 

هوشیار حضور و مست غرور

بحر توحید و غرقه گنهیم

 

شاهد بخت چون کرشمه کند

ماش آیینه رخ چو مهیم

 

شاه بیدار بخت را هر شب

ما نگهبان افسر و کلهیم

 

گو غنیمت شمار صحبت ما

که تو در خواب و ما به دیده گهیم

 

شاه منصور واقف است که ما

روی همت به هر کجا که نهیم

 

دشمنان را ز خون کفن سازیم

دوستان را قبای فتح دهیم

 

رنگ تزویر پیش ما نبود

شیر سرخیم و افعی سیهیم

 

وام حافظ بگو که بازدهند

کرده‌ای اعتراف و ما گوهیم

hamed
@hamed Oct. 9, 2024, 1:19 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

پادشاه: king
غرور: pride
توحید: unity
کرشمه: trick, coquetry
افسر: turban
کفن: shroud
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.
Sufi concepts: The poem is rich in Sufi symbolism and concepts, which can be challenging to convey in a different cultural context.

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