Ghazal 199: The preachers who make such a display in prayer-niche and pulpit

واعظان کاین جلوه در محراب و منبر می‌کنند
چون به خلوت می‌روند آن کار دیگر می‌کنند!

مشکلی دارم، ز دانشمند مجلس بازپرس
توبه‌فرمایان، چرا خود توبه کم‌تر می‌کنند؟

گوییا باور نمی‌دارند روز داوری
کاین همه قلب و دغل در کار داور می‌کنند

یا رب این نودولتان را با خر خودشان نشان
کاین همه ناز از غلام ترک و استر می‌کنند

ای گدای خانقه، برجه که در دیر مغان
می‌دهند آبی و دل‌ها را توانگر می‌کنند

حسن بی‌پایان او، چندان که عاشق می‌کشد
زمرهٔ دیگر به عشق از غیب سر بر می‌کنند

بر در می‌خانهٔ عشق ای ملک، تسبیح گوی
کاندر آنجا، طینت آدم مخمر می‌کنند

صبح‌دم از عرش می‌آمد خروشی، عقل گفت
«قدسیان گویی که شعر حافظ از بر می‌کنند»

The preachers who make such a display in prayer-niche and pulpit,
when they go into private, do that other thing.

I have a difficulty; put the question to the learned man of the assembly:
why do those who command repentance repent so little themselves?

It would seem they do not believe in the Day of Judgement,
since they practise all this fraud and deceit in the Judge's work.

O Lord, set these upstarts back upon their own donkeys,
who give themselves such airs over a Turkish slave and a mule.

O beggar of the dervish lodge, leap up, for in the temple of the Magians
they give a certain water and make hearts rich.

His endless beauty, as many lovers as it kills,
another company rises up from the unseen in love.

At the door of love's tavern, O angel, sing praise,
for it is there that they ferment the clay of Adam.

At dawn a clamour was coming from the Throne; reason said:
"It seems the holy ones are learning the verse of Hafez by heart."

Interpretation of the fal

Do not be taken in by the pious appearance and polished words of people who do not practise what they preach. Keep away from upstarts and show-offs. True wealth is in the heart, and you will find it in a simple place free of pretence. Your work and your words have a worth that will sooner or later be recognised.