Ghazal 492: A greeting, like the pleasant scent of friendship

سلامی چو بوی خوش آشنایی
بدان مردم دیدهٔ روشنایی

درودی چو نور دل پارسایان
بدان شمع خلوتگه پارسایی

نمی‌بینم از همدمان، هیچ بر جای
دلم، خون شد از غصه؛ ساقی! کجایی؟

ز کوی مغان، رخ مگردان! که آنجا
فروشند مفتاح مشکل‌گشایی

عروس جهان گرچه در حد حسن است
ز حد می‌برد شیوهٔ بی‌وفایی

دل خستهٔ من گرش همتی هست
نخواهد ز سنگین‌دلان، مومیایی

می صوفی‌افکن، کجا می‌فروشند؟
که در تابم از دست زهد ریایی

رفیقان، چنان، عهد صحبت شکستند
که گویی نبوده‌ست خود، آشنایی

مرا گر تو بگذاری، ای نفس طامع!
بسی پادشایی کنم در گدایی

بیاموزمت کیمیای سعادت
ز هم‌صحبت بد، جدایی! جدایی!

مکن «حافظ» از جور دوران، شکایت!
چه دانی تو، ای بنده! کار خدایی؟

A greeting, like the pleasant scent of friendship,
to that pupil of the eye of light.

A salutation, like the light in the hearts of the pious,
to that candle of the retreat of piety.

I see none of my companions left in their place;
my heart has turned to blood with sorrow: cupbearer, where are you?

Do not turn your face from the lane of the Magians, for there
they sell the key that opens what is difficult.

Though the bride of the world is at the height of beauty,
she carries the way of faithlessness beyond all bounds.

My wounded heart, if it has any spirit,
will not ask a healing balm of the stony-hearted.

Where do they sell the wine that overthrows the Sufi?
For I am in torment at the hands of hypocritical piety.

Companions have so broken the covenant of friendship
that you would say there had never been any acquaintance.

If you would leave me alone, O greedy self,
I would reign as a king in my beggary.

I will teach you the alchemy of happiness:
from a bad companion, keep apart, keep apart.

Hafez, do not complain of the harshness of the age;
what do you know, O servant, of the work of God?

Interpretation of the fal

Send a greeting and a message to the one who is dear to you and brings you light. Old friends have scattered and broken their word: you are hurt by this, but do not look to the hard-hearted for help. Do not set your heart on the world and its good faith. If you let go of greed, you can live with dignity even in want. The secret of happiness is to keep away from bad company. Do not complain about the times.