Ghazal 254: Once more from the branch of the straight cypress the patient nightingale
دیگر ز شاخ سرو سهی بلبل صبور
گلبانگ زد که چشم بد از روی گل به دور
ای گل به شکر آن که تویی پادشاه حسن
با بلبلان بیدل شیدا مکن غرور
از دست غیبت تو شکایت نمیکنم
تا نیست غیبتی نبود لذت حضور
گر دیگران به عیش و طرب خرمند و شاد
ما را غم نگار بود مایهٔ سرور
زاهد اگر به حور و قصور است امیدوار
ما را شرابخانه قصور است و یار حور
می خور به بانگ چنگ و مخور غصه ور کسی
گوید تو را که باده مخور گو هوالغفور
حافظ شکایت از غم هجران چه میکنی؟
در هجر وصل باشد و در ظلمت است نور
Once more from the branch of the straight cypress the patient nightingale
sang out: "May the evil eye be far from the face of the rose!"
O rose, in thanks that you are the sovereign of beauty,
do not be proud towards the nightingales, heart-lost and mad with love.
I make no complaint of your absence;
until there is absence, there is no delight in presence.
If others are glad and merry in pleasure and joy,
for us the grief of the beloved is the source of gladness.
If the ascetic sets his hope on houris and palaces,
for us the wine house is the palace and the friend is the houri.
Drink wine to the sound of the harp and do not grieve, and if anyone
says to you "Do not drink wine", answer: "He is the Forgiving."
Hafez, why do you complain of the grief of separation?
In separation there is union, and in darkness there is light.
Interpretation of the fal
This is a comforting fal: do not complain of distance, for the delight of meeting comes from that very distance. If you are in the stronger position, be humble with those who love you. Find your joy in what you have, and trust in God's forgiveness. Within separation, union is hidden, and within darkness, light.