Who will carry a message from me, a beggar, to the kings? Ghazal 468 by Hafez

  1. Home
  2. Ghazals
  3. Ghazal Details

Who will carry a message from me, a beggar, to the kings? Ghazal 468 by Hafez

By hamed @hamed | poet: Hafez Shirazi | 17 1

No lines yet

Description:

In this ghazāl, Hafez expresses a deep longing for his beloved and explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships. He uses vivid imagery and poetic devices to convey the intensity of his feelings.

Key Themes:

Love and longing: The poet expresses a deep longing for his beloved and the pain of separation.
Spiritual vs. worldly desires: Hafez explores the conflict between spiritual pursuits and worldly pleasures.
The impermanence of life: The poet reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of enjoying the moment.

English Translation for Ghazal

Who will carry a message from me, a beggar, to the kings?
That I drink a thousand gems in the tavern of wine-sellers

I’ve become ruined and infamous, yet I still hope
That through the kindness of the beloved, I’ll attain a good reputation

You who are an alchemist, cast a glance at our hearts
For we have no merchandise and are trapped in a snare

It’s strange that my beloved has shown no favor
Neither a message in a letter, nor a greeting with a pen

If this wine is raw and that companion is ripe
It’s a thousand times better than a thousand ripe rawness

O Sheikh, don’t dismiss me with your rosary beads
For like a wise bird, I won’t fall into any trap

I’m your servant, buy me with kindness and don’t sell me
For a servant, when he falls lower, becomes a slave

Where shall I carry my complaint, to whom shall I tell this tale?
That your lips were my life, yet you had no lastingness

Open the bow of your eyelashes and shed
Hafez’s blood For no one can avenge such a killer.

متن غزل

که بَرَد به نزد شاهان ز من گدا پیامی

که به کوی می فروشان دو هزار جم به جامی

 

شده‌ام خراب و بدنام و هنوز امیدوارم

که به همت عزیزان برسم به نیک نامی

 

تو که کیمیافروشی نظری به قلب ما کن

که بضاعتی نداریم و فکنده‌ایم دامی

 

عجب از وفای جانان که عنایتی نفرمود

نه به نامه‌ای پیامی نه به خامه‌ای سلامی

 

اگر این شراب خام است اگر آن حریف پخته

به هزار بار بهتر ز هزار پخته خامی

 

ز رهم میفکن ای شیخ به دانه‌های تسبیح

که چو مرغ زیرک افتد نفتد به هیچ دامی

 

سر خدمت تو دارم بخرم به لطف و مفروش

که چو بنده کمتر افتد به مبارکی غلامی

 

به کجا برم شکایت به که گویم این حکایت

که لبت حیات ما بود و نداشتی دوامی

 

بگشای تیر مژگان و بریز خون حافظ

که چنان کشنده‌ای را نکند کس انتقامی

hamed
@hamed Oct. 12, 2024, 6:44 p.m.

Key Persian terms and nuances:

کیمیاگری: alchemy, a reference to the ability to transform base metals into gold, often used metaphorically in Persian poetry
بضاعتی: merchandise, possessions
دام: snare, trap
آصف: a wise and loyal advisor in ancient Persian mythology

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.

Back to Ghazal List Previous Next