Hafez · Ghazal 196 · Those who turn dust to gold with a glance
آنان که خاک را به نظر کیمیا کنندآیا بود که گوشه چشمی به ما کنند
دردم نهفته به ز طبیبان مدعیباشد که از خزانه غیبم دوا کنند
معشوق چون نقاب ز رخ درنمی‌کشدهر کس حکایتی به تصور چرا کنند؟
چون حسن عاقبت نه به رندی و زاهدی‌ستآن به که کار خود به عنایت رها کنند
بی معرفت مباش که در من‌یزید عشقاهل نظر معامله با آشنا کنند
حالی درون پرده بسی فتنه می‌رودتا آن زمان که پرده برافتد چه‌ها کنند
گر سنگ از این حدیث بنالد عجب مدارصاحبدلان حکایت دل خوش ادا کنند
می خور که صد گناه ز اغیار در حجاببهتر ز طاعتی که به روی و ریا کنند
پیراهنی که آید از او بوی یوسفمترسم برادران غیورش قبا کنند
بگذر به کوی میکده تا زمره حضوراوقات خود ز بهر تو صرف دعا کنند
پنهان ز حاسدان به خودم خوان که منعمانخیر نهان برای رضای خدا کنند
حافظ دوام وصل میسر نمی‌شودشاهان کم التفات به حال گدا کنند
This ghazal counsels quiet trust. Keep your deepest worry away from those who only pretend to have answers; the cure may come from an unseen treasury. Since no one can see behind the veil, do not be troubled by the stories others tell. A good outcome does not depend on being perfectly strict or perfectly free; it is wiser to leave your affair to grace. Do your good in secret, guard what is precious from envy, and seek the company of those who will pray for you.
Those who turn dust to gold with a single glance,
might they cast the corner of an eye on us?
Better to keep my pain hidden from physicians who pretend;
perhaps they will cure me from the treasury of the unseen.
Since the beloved does not draw the veil from her face,
why does everyone tell a story from their own imagining?
Since a good end comes neither from rendi nor from abstinence,
it is best to leave one's affair to grace.
Do not be without understanding, for at the auction of love
those with vision deal with the ones they know.
For now, behind the curtain, much mischief is going on;
when the curtain falls, what will they do then?
Do not be surprised if a stone groans at this tale;
the people of heart tell the heart's story well.
Drink wine, for a hundred sins hidden from strangers' eyes
are better than an obedience performed for show.
The shirt from which comes the scent of my Joseph,
I fear his jealous brothers will tear it apart.
Pass by the lane of the tavern, so that the circle of the present
may spend their hours praying for you.
Invite me to you, hidden from the envious, for the generous
do their good in secret, for the pleasure of God.
Hafez, lasting union is not granted;
kings pay little heed to the beggar's state.