What good do you seek from us? For we have called to the intoxicated, Ghazal 370 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi

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Description:

This ghazāl by Hafez explores themes of love, devotion, and the complexities of human relationships. The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and acknowledges his own mistakes.

Key Themes:

Love and devotion: The poet expresses a profound and unwavering devotion to his beloved.
Spiritual journey: The poet's journey towards spiritual enlightenment is often associated with the path of love.
Regret and self-reflection: The poet expresses regret for his past actions and engages in self-reflection.
The beloved as a divine figure: The beloved is often seen as a symbol of the divine.


English Translation for Ghazal

What good do you seek from us? For we have called to the intoxicated
We have prayed for your health around the intoxicated narcissus of your eyes.

Open the door of the tavern for me, for the monastery did not open
If you believe it, and if not, this was our word.

I have fallen ruined from your eyes, O wine-server, but
A thousand welcomes to any calamity that comes from a beloved.

If you do not forgive me, you will eventually regret it
Remember this meaning that we spoke in your service.

I said your stature was like a cypress; it brought me much shame
Why did we make this comparison and why did we utter this slander?

My liver has turned to blood, but I do not complain less than this
For the one who spoke of the flaw in your curl.

You became a fire, O Hafez, but you did not linger with your beloved
We spoke to the morning breeze of the flower's treachery.

Ghazal in Persian

صَلاح از ما چه می‌جویی؟ که مستان را صَلا گفتیم

به دورِ نرگسِ مستت سلامت را دعا گفتیم

 

درِ میخانه‌ام بُگشا که هیچ از خانقه نَگشود

گَرَت باور بُوَد ور نه سخن این بود و ما گفتیم

 

من از چشمِ تو ای ساقی خراب افتاده‌ام لیکن

بلایی کز حبیب آید هِزارش مَرحَبا گفتیم

 

اگر بر من نَبَخشایی پشیمانی خوری آخر

به خاطر دار این معنی که در خدمت کجا گفتیم

 

قَدَت گفتم که شمشاد است؛ بس خِجلَت به بار آورد

که این نسبت چرا کردیم و این بُهتان چرا گفتیم

 

جگر چون نافه‌ام خون گشت کم زینم نمی‌باید

جزای آن که با زلفت سخن از چین خطا گفتیم

 

تو آتش گشتی ای حافظ ولی با یار درنگرفت

ز بدعهدیِّ گُل گویی حکایت با صبا گفتیم


hamed
@hamed Oct. 9, 2024, 7:04 a.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

مِیخانه: tavern
نرگس: narcissus (a type of flower), often used as a metaphor for the eyes
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.