Hafez · Ghazal 171 · Last night a messenger of good news
دوش از جناب آصف، پیک بشارت آمدکز حضرت سلیمان، عشرت اشارت آمد
خاک وجود ما را، از آب دیده گل کنویران‌سرای دل را، گاه عمارت آمد
این شرح بی‌نهایت، کز زلف یار گفتندحرفی‌ست از هزاران، کاندر عبارت آمد
عیبم بپوش زنهار، ای خرقه می‌آلودکآن پاک پاک‌دامن، بهر زیارت آمد
امروز جای هر کس، پیدا شود ز خوبانکآن ماه مجلس‌افروز، اندر صدارت آمد
بر تخت جم که تاجش، معراج آسمان استهمت نگر که موری، با آن حقارت آمد
از چشم شوخش ای دل! ایمان خود نگه دارکآن جادوی کمانکش، بر عزم غارت آمد
آلوده‌ای تو حافظ، فیضی ز شاه درخواهکآن عنصر سماحت، بهر طهارت آمد
دریاست مجلس او، دریاب وقت و در یابهان ای زیان‌رسیده وقت تجارت آمد
Good news is on its way in this ghazal: the time has come to rebuild the ruined house of the heart. If you have suffered loss, Hafez says plainly that the time for trading has come, the moment to step forward and gather what is offered. Do not let a sense of your own smallness hold you back; even the ant came to Jamshid's throne. Bring your faults honestly and ask for grace, for generosity has arrived to make things clean. Seize this opening with a humble, hopeful heart.
Last night a messenger of good news came from the presence of Asaf:
from the court of Solomon the signal for joy had come.
Make the dust of our being into clay with the water of the eyes;
for the ruined house of the heart, the time of rebuilding has come.
This endless commentary they have given on the beloved's curl
is one word in a thousand that has come into speech.
Cover my faults, I beg you, O wine-stained cloak,
for that pure one, pure of hem, has come to visit.
Today each one's rank among the fair will be plain to see,
for that moon who lights the gathering has taken the seat of honour.
To the throne of Jamshid, whose crown is the ladder of heaven,
see the aspiration: an ant has come, for all its smallness.
O heart, guard your faith from that bold eye,
for that bow-drawing sorceress has come intent on plunder.
You are stained, Hafez; ask for grace from the king,
for that essence of generosity has come to make things pure.
His gathering is a sea; seize the moment and gather its pearl;
look, you who have suffered loss, the time for trading has come.