Hafez · Ghazal 117 · Our heart needs no meadow
دل ما به دور رویت ز چمن فراغ داردکه چو سرو پایبند است و چو لاله داغ دارد
سر ما فرونیآید به کمان ابروی کسکه درون گوشه‌گیران، ز جهان فراغ دارد
ز بنفشه تاب دارم که ز زلف او زند دمتو سیاه کم‌بها بین، که چه در دماغ دارد!
به چمن خرام و بنگر بر تخت گل که لالهبه ندیم شاه ماند که به کف ایاغ دارد
شب ظلمت و بیابان، به کجا توان رسیدن؟مگر آن که شمع روی‌ات به رهم چراغ دارد
من و شمع صبح‌گاهی سزد ار به هم بگرییمکه بسوختیم و از ما بت ما فراغ دارد
سزدم چو ابر بهمن که بر این چمن بگریمطرب آشیان بلبل، بنگر که زاغ دارد
سر درس عشق دارد دل دردمند حافظکه نه خاطر تماشا نه هوای باغ دارد
The night feels dark and the road a desert, and you may wonder how anyone arrives. Hafez's answer is that one light is enough: the candle of a face you love, a single clear purpose, can light the whole way. He notes, too, how small things put on airs, and how places of joy are sometimes held by those who do not belong in them. Do not be distracted by these. Like the cypress, stay rooted, and keep your heart on what love is teaching you.
Since your face appeared, our heart has no need of the meadow,
for like the cypress it is bound in place, and like the tulip it bears a brand.
Our head will not bow to anyone's bow-shaped brow,
for the hearts of those who keep to their corners are free of the world.
I am vexed with the violet, which claims kinship with her curl:
look at that cheap dark thing, and what notions it has in its head!
Stroll to the meadow and see how the tulip, on the rose's throne,
looks like the king's boon companion holding a goblet in his hand.
Dark night and the desert: how can one arrive anywhere,
unless the candle of your face lights a lamp on my road?
It is fitting if the dawn candle and I weep together,
for we have burned, and our idol cares nothing for us.
It is fitting that I weep over this meadow like a winter cloud:
see, the nightingale's nest of joy is held by the crow.
The aching heart of Hafez has its mind on the lesson of love;
it has no thought for sightseeing, no longing for the garden.