Hafez · Ghazal 120 · I have an idol
بتی دارم که گرد گل ز سنبل سایه‌بان داردبهار عارضش خطی به خون ارغوان دارد
غبار خط بپوشانید خورشید رخش یا رببقای جاودانش ده، که حسن جاودان دارد
چو عاشق می‌شدم گفتم که بردم گوهر مقصودندانستم که این دریا چه موج خون‌فشان دارد
ز چشمت جان نشاید برد کز هر سو که می‌بینمکمین از گوشه‌ای کرده‌ست و تیر اندر کمان دارد
چو دام طره افشاند ز گرد خاطر عشاقبه غماز صبا گوید که راز ما نهان دارد
بیفشان جرعه‌ای بر خاک و حال اهل دل بشنوکه از جمشید و کیخسرو، فراوان داستان دارد
چو در رویت بخندد گل، مشو در دامش ای بلبلکه بر گل اعتمادی نیست، گر حسن جهان دارد
خدا را، داد من بستان از او ای شحنه مجلسکه می با دیگری خورده‌ست و با من سر گران دارد
به فتراک ار همی‌بندی خدا را زود صیدم کنکه آفت‌هاست در تأخیر و طالب را زیان دارد
ز سرو قد دلجویت مکن محروم چشمم رابدین سرچشمه‌اش بنشان که خوش آبی روان دارد
ز خوف هجرم ایمن کن اگر امید آن داریکه از چشم بداندیشان خدایت در امان دارد
چه عذر بخت خود گویم؟ که آن عیار شهرآشوببه تلخی کشت حافظ را و شکر در دهان دارد
You began something with a full heart, perhaps thinking the pearl was already yours, and are now finding that the sea has waves. Hafez is honest about this, and gentle. He advises a little caution: do not trust every laughing rose completely. Yet he also urges you not to wait too long, for delay has its own cost. Pour a drop on the earth and remember that even kings came and went. Ask plainly for what you need, and offer others the safety you hope to receive.
I have an idol whose hyacinth curls cast a canopy of shade around the rose;
the spring of her cheek has a line of down drawn in the blood of the Judas tree.
The dust of that down has veiled the sun of her face; O Lord,
grant her lasting life, for she has a lasting beauty.
When I fell in love, I said, "I have won the pearl of my desire";
I did not know what blood-scattering waves this sea has.
No one can escape your eye with their life, for wherever I look,
it lies in ambush in a corner with an arrow on its bow.
When she shakes the snare of her forelock free of the dust of lovers' minds,
she tells the tale-bearing breeze to keep our secret hidden.
Pour a draught upon the ground and hear the state of the people of heart,
for the earth has many tales to tell of Jamshid and Kay Khosrow.
When the rose laughs in your face, do not fall into her snare, O nightingale,
for there is no trusting the rose, though she has the beauty of the world.
For God's sake, officer of the gathering, get me justice from her,
for she has drunk wine with another and is sullen with me.
If you mean to tie me to your saddle-strap, for God's sake take me quickly,
for there are dangers in delay, and the seeker suffers loss.
Do not deprive my eye of your heart-pleasing, cypress stature;
set it beside this spring, for its water runs sweetly.
Make me safe from the fear of separation, if you hope
that God will keep you safe from the eyes of those who wish you ill.
What excuse shall I make for my fortune? That city-disturbing rogue
has killed Hafez with bitterness, and has sugar in her mouth.