Hafez · Ghazal 194 · When the jasmine-scented ones sit down
سمن‌بویان، غبار غم چو بنشینند؛ بنشانندپری‌رویان، قرار از دل چو بستیزند؛ بستانند
به فتراک جفا، دل‌ها چو بربندند؛ بربندندز زلف عنبرین، جان‌ها چو بگشایند؛ بفشانند
به عمری، یک نفس با ما چو بنشینند؛ برخیزندنهال شوق در خاطر چو برخیزند، بنشانند
سرشک گوشه‌گیران را چو دریابند، در یابندرخ مهر از سحرخیزان نگردانند، اگر دانند
ز چشمم، لعل رمانی چو می‌خندند، می‌بارندز رویم، راز پنهانی چو می‌بینند؛ می‌خوانند
دوای درد عاشق را کسی کاو سهل پنداردز فکر، آنان که در تدبیر درمانند، در مانند
چو منصور از مراد آنان که بردارند، بر دارندبدین درگاه، «حافظ» را چو می‌خوانند؛ می‌رانند
در این حضرت چو مشتاقان نیاز آرند، ناز آرندکه با این درد اگر دربند درمانند، در مانند
This ghazal is a dance of opposites: the beloved's presence settles grief, and her leaving plants longing; her laughter brings tears, and her glance reads every secret. If you are caught between hope and frustration, Hafez says that this is the nature of love and not a sign of failure. Do not look for a quick cure for a deep ache; those who chase a remedy are only left more helpless. Bring your need with humility, let the moods pass, and trust that tears shed sincerely become pearls.
When the jasmine-scented ones sit down, they settle the dust of grief;
when the fairy-faced ones quarrel, they take all peace from the heart.
When they tie hearts to the saddle-strap of cruelty, they bind them fast;
when they loosen their ambergris curls, they scatter souls.
When once in a lifetime they sit a moment with us, they rise to leave;
when they rise, they plant the sapling of longing in the mind.
When they find the tears of the recluses, they find pearls;
if they knew, they would not turn love's face from those who rise at dawn.
When they laugh, they make ruby pomegranate seeds rain from my eyes;
when they look upon my face, they read the hidden secret.
Whoever thinks the cure of a lover's pain is easy,
those who ponder its remedy are left helpless in their thought.
Those who, like Mansur, are raised upon the gallows, gain their wish;
at this court, whenever they call Hafez, they drive him away.
In this presence, when the longing bring their need, the fair bring disdain;
for with this pain, if they are bent on a cure, they are left helpless.