Hafez · Ghazal 208 · When the weary have longing but no strength
خستگان را چو طلب باشد و قوت نبودگر تو بیداد کنی شرط مروت نبود
ما جفا از تو ندیدیم و تو خود نپسندیآنچه در مذهب ارباب طریقت نبود
خیره آن دیده که آبش نبرد گریه عشقتیره آن دل که در او شمع محبت نبود
دولت از مرغ همایون طلب و سایه اوزان که با زاغ و زغن شهپر دولت نبود
گر مدد خواستم از پیر مغان عیب مکنشیخ ما گفت که در صومعه همت نبود
چون طهارت نبود کعبه و بتخانه یکیستنبود خیر در آن خانه که عصمت نبود
حافظا علم و ادب ورز که در مجلس شاههر که را نیست ادب لایق صحبت نبود
This ghazal begins with a plea for gentleness towards the weary, and it may be speaking to you on both sides: be kind to those who are tired, and be kind to yourself if you are tired. Hafez says a heart without the candle of love is dark, and an eye that has never wept for love is dim; your tenderness is a strength, not a weakness. Look for help from those who are truly generous, not from the crow and the kite. Keep your intentions pure and your manner courteous, and good company will welcome you.
When the weary have longing but no strength,
to be unjust to them is not the way of generosity.
We have seen no cruelty from you, and you yourself would not approve
of anything not found in the creed of the masters of the Path.
Dim is the eye whose water love's weeping has not carried away;
dark is the heart in which there is no candle of love.
Seek fortune from the auspicious Homa and its shadow,
for the crow and the kite have no feathers of fortune.
If I sought help from the Magian elder, do not blame me;
our shaykh himself said there was no aspiration in the cloister.
Without purity, the Kaaba and the idol-house are one;
there is no good in a house where there is no innocence.
Hafez, practise learning and courtesy, for in the king's gathering
whoever has no courtesy is not fit for company.