Hafez · Ghazal 136 · What cannot be done
دست در حلقه آن زلف دوتا نتوان کردتکیه بر عهد تو و باد صبا نتوان کرد
آن‌چه سعی است، من اندر طلبت بنمایماین قدر هست که تغییر قضا نتوان کرد
دامن دوست به صد خون دل افتاد به دستبه فسوسی که کند خصم، رها نتوان کرد
عارضش را به مثل ماه فلک نتوان گفتنسبت دوست به هر بی سر و پا نتوان کرد
سروبالای من آنگه که درآید به سماعچه محل جامه جان را که قبا نتوان کرد؟
نظر پاک تواند رخ جانان دیدنکه در آیینه نظر جز به صفا نتوان کرد
مشکل عشق نه در حوصله دانش ماستحل این نکته بدین فکر خطا نتوان کرد
غیرتم کشت که محبوب جهانی، لیکنروز و شب عربده با خلق خدا نتوان کرد
من چه گویم؟ که تو را نازکی طبع لطیفتا به حدیست که آهسته دعا نتوان کرد
بجز ابروی تو محراب دل حافظ نیستطاعت غیر تو در مذهب ما نتوان کرد
This ghazal lists what cannot be done: you cannot change what is decreed, rely on the wind, or solve love by reasoning. Yet within those limits, Hafez says, make every effort you can, and once you hold what you love, do not release it because someone mocks. See with a clear gaze, as a mirror answers only clearness. Let others love what you love without quarrelling with the world. Do your part fully, and leave the rest to what is beyond you.
One cannot put a hand into the ring of that double curl;
one cannot rely on your promise, or on the east wind.
Whatever effort can do, I will make in seeking you;
this much is true: one cannot change what is decreed.
The Friend's hem came into my hand at the cost of a hundred hearts' blood;
one cannot let it go because an enemy mocks.
One cannot call her cheek the moon of heaven, even as a likeness;
one cannot compare the Friend with every worthless thing.
When my cypress-tall one rises to dance in the sama',
what is the soul's robe worth, if one cannot tear it open?
Only a pure gaze can see the face of the beloved,
for one cannot look into a mirror except with clearness.
The problem of love is beyond the reach of our learning;
one cannot solve this subtle point with such faulty thinking.
Jealousy kills me that you are the darling of the world, but
one cannot quarrel day and night with God's creatures.
What can I say? Your fine nature is so delicate
that one cannot even pray softly.
Apart from your eyebrow, the heart of Hafez has no mihrab;
in our creed one cannot worship anything but you.