Ghazal 196: Those who with a glance turn dust into gold
آنان که خاک را به نظر کیمیا کنند
آیا بود که گوشهٔ چشمی به ما کنند
دردم نهفته به ز طبیبان مدعی
باشد که از خزانهٔ غیبم دوا کنند
معشوق چون نقاب ز رخ درنمیکشد
هر کس حکایتی به تصور چرا کنند؟
چون حسن عاقبت نه به رندی و زاهدیست
آن به که کار خود به عنایت رها کنند
بی معرفت مباش که در منیزید عشق
اهل نظر معامله با آشنا کنند
حالی درون پرده بسی فتنه میرود
تا آن زمان که پرده برافتد چهها کنند
گر سنگ از این حدیث بنالد عجب مدار
صاحبدلان حکایت دل خوش ادا کنند
می خور که صد گناه ز اغیار در حجاب
بهتر ز طاعتی که به روی و ریا کنند
پیراهنی که آید از او بوی یوسفم
ترسم برادران غیورش قبا کنند
بگذر به کوی میکده تا زمرهٔ حضور
اوقات خود ز بهر تو صرف دعا کنند
پنهان ز حاسدان به خودم خوان که منعمان
خیر نهان برای رضای خدا کنند
حافظ دوام وصل میسر نمیشود
شاهان کم التفات به حال گدا کنند
Those who with a glance turn dust into gold,
will it be that they turn the corner of an eye towards us?
My pain is better hidden from the physicians who pretend;
may it be that they cure me from the treasury of the unseen.
Since the beloved does not draw the veil from the face,
why does everyone tell a tale out of imagination?
Since a good end comes neither by being a rend nor by being an ascetic,
it is better that they leave their affair to grace.
Do not be without insight, for in the auction of love
the people of vision deal with those they know.
For now much mischief goes on within the veil;
when the veil falls, what things they will do!
If the stone moans at this story, do not wonder;
those who have heart tell the tale of the heart well.
Drink wine, for a hundred sins hidden from strangers
are better than one act of devotion done for show and hypocrisy.
The shirt from which the scent of Joseph comes to me,
I fear his jealous brothers will tear it open.
Pass by the street of the tavern, so that the company of the present
may spend their hours in prayer for you.
Call me to yourself in secret from the envious, for the bountiful
do hidden good for the pleasure of God.
Hafez, lasting union cannot be had;
kings pay little heed to the state of the beggar.
Interpretation of the fal
You are hoping for the attention and favour of great-hearted people; the hope is sound, but do not tell your pain to every pretender. Do not speculate about what has not yet been revealed, and leave the outcome to God's grace. Avoid hypocrisy and do good in secret. Watch out for the envious, and do not expect every happiness to last for ever.