Ghazal 488: At dawn the voice of the tavern, wishing me well

سحرم هاتف میخانه به دولت‌خواهی
گفت: باز آی که دیرینهٔ این درگاهی

همچو جم جرعهٔ ما کش که ز سر دو جهان
پرتو جام جهان‌بین دهدت آگاهی

بر در میکده، رندان قلندر باشند
که ستانند و دهند افسر شاهنشاهی

خشت، زیر سر و بر تارک هفت‌اختر پای
دست قدرت نگر و منصب صاحب‌جاهی

سر ما و در میخانه که طرف بامش
به فلک بر شد و دیوار بدین کوتاهی

قطع این مرحله بی‌همرهی خضر مکن
ظلمات است، بترس از خطر گمراهی

اگرت سلطنت فقر ببخشند، ای دل!
کمترین ملک تو از ماه بود تا ماهی

تو دم فقر ندانی زدن از دست مده
مسند خواجگی و مجلس تورانشاهی

حافظ خام‌طمع! شرمی از این قصه بدار
عملت چیست که فردوس برین می‌خواهی‌؟

At dawn the voice of the tavern, wishing me well,
said: "Come back, for you are an old servant of this door.

Drink our draught as Jamshid did, so that the ray
of the world-seeing cup may tell you the secret of both worlds.

At the door of the tavern there are wandering rends
who take away and give the crown of the king of kings.

A brick beneath the head, and a foot on the crown of the seven stars:
see the hand of power, and the office of true rank.

Our head belongs at the door of the tavern, whose roof-edge
rises to the sky, though its wall is so low.

Do not travel this stage without the company of Khizr;
it is the place of darkness: fear the danger of losing the way.

If they grant you the kingdom of poverty, O heart,
the least of your realm will reach from the moon to the fish.

You do not know how to speak of poverty; do not let go
the seat of lordship and the assembly of Turanshah.

Hafez, with your raw greed, have some shame over this tale;
what have you done, that you ask for the highest paradise?"

Interpretation of the fal

Go back to the place where you once belonged: your understanding comes from there. True greatness lies in needing nothing and in simplicity, not in outward show. Do not take this road without a guide, for there is a danger of getting lost. If you are not yet one who can do without, do not give up your present position and supporter. Do not ask for more than you have worked for.