Ghazal 418: If swords rain down in the lane of that moon
گر تیغ بارد در کوی آن ماه
گردن نهادیم الحکم لله
آیین تقوا ما نیز دانیم
لیکن چه چاره با بخت گمراه؟
ما شیخ و واعظ کمتر شناسیم
یا جام باده یا قصه کوتاه
من رند و عاشق در موسم گل
آن گاه توبه؟ استغفرالله
مهر تو عکسی بر ما نیفکند
آیینهرویا! آه از دلت آه
الصبر مر و العمر فان
یا لیت شعري حتام ألقاه
حافظ چه نالی گر وصل خواهی؟
خون بایدت خورد در گاه و بیگاه
If swords rain down in the lane of that moon,
we have laid down our neck: the judgement is God's.
We too know the rule of piety,
but what remedy is there against a wayward fortune?
We hardly know the shaykh and the preacher;
either a cup of wine, or cut the story short.
I, a rend and a lover, in the season of the rose,
and then repentance? God forgive me.
Your love has cast no reflection upon us;
O mirror-faced one, alas for your heart, alas.
Patience is bitter, and life is passing;
would that I knew how long before I meet him.
Hafez, why complain? If you want union,
you must swallow blood in season and out of season.
Interpretation of the fal
There is hardship on the road you have chosen, and you must accept it. You know what the right thing is, but your heart and your luck pull you another way: be honest with yourself. That person has not yet answered your love. Patience is bitter and life is passing, but what you want cannot be reached without pain. Do not complain, and hold firm.