Ghazal 477: Two shrewd friends, and two measures of old wine

دو یار زیرک و از بادهٔ کهن دو منی
فراغتی و کتابی و گوشهٔ چمنی

من این مقام به دنیا و آخرت ندهم
اگر چه در پی‌ام افتند هر دم انجمنی

هر آن که کنج قناعت به گنج دنیا داد
فروخت یوسف مصری به کمترین ثمنی

بیا که رونق این کارخانه کم نشود
به زهد همچو تویی، یا به فسق همچو منی

ز تندباد حوادث نمی‌توان دیدن
در این چمن که گلی بوده است یا سمنی

ببین در آینهٔ جام، نقش‌بندی غیب
که کس به یاد ندارد چنین عجب زمنی

از این سموم که بر طرف بوستان بگذشت
عجب که بوی گلی هست و رنگ نسترنی

به صبر کوش تو ای دل که حق رها نکند
چنین عزیز نگینی به دست اهرمنی

مزاج دهر تبه شد در این بلا حافظ
کجاست فکر حکیمی و رای برهمنی؟

Two shrewd friends, and two measures of old wine,
some leisure, a book and a corner of the meadow.

I would not give this station for this world and the next,
though at every moment a whole assembly should come after me.

Whoever gave the corner of contentment for the treasure of the world
sold the Joseph of Egypt for the lowest of prices.

Come, for the splendour of this workshop will not grow less
through the piety of one like you or the sinning of one like me.

Because of the storm wind of events one cannot see
that in this meadow there was ever a rose or a jasmine.

See, in the mirror of the cup, how the unseen draws its pictures,
for no one remembers so strange a time as this.

After the scorching wind that has passed over the garden,
it is a wonder that the scent of a rose and the colour of a wild rose remain.

Strive in patience, O heart, for God will not leave
so precious a seal in the hand of an Ahriman.

The temper of the age has been ruined in this affliction, Hafez;
where is the thought of a sage, the judgement of a Brahmin?

Interpretation of the fal

Your happiness lies in simple things: one or two good friends, ease, a book and a quiet corner. Do not exchange that for anything. Do not sell contentment for the goods of the world. These are hard times and much has been swept away, yet some signs of goodness remain. Be patient: what is precious does not stay in unworthy hands.