Hafez · I said, I grieve for you
گفتم غم تو دارم گفتا غمت سر آیدگفتم که ماه من شو گفتا اگر برآید
گفتم ز مهرورزان رسم وفا بیاموزگفتا ز خوبرویان این کار کمتر آید
گفتم که بر خیالت راه نظر ببندمگفتا که شب رو است او از راه دیگر آید
گفتم که بوی زلفت گمراه عالمم کردگفتا اگر بدانی هم اوت رهبر آید
گفتم خوشا هوایی کز باد صبح خیزدگفتا خنک نسیمی کز کوی دلبر آید
گفتم که نوش لعلت ما را به آرزو کشتگفتا تو بندگی کن کو بنده پرور آید
گفتم دل رحیمت کی عزم صلح داردگفتا مگوی با کس تا وقت آن درآید
گفتم زمان عشرت دیدی که چون سر آمدگفتا خموش حافظ کاین غصه هم سر آید
This ghazal is a conversation, and every complaint receives a quiet answer. You may be asking when a difficulty will lift or when a heart will soften towards you. The reply is gentle and firm: your grief will end; peace has its own time; what seemed to lead you astray may in truth be guiding you. You are asked to keep faith, to serve with patience, and to keep your hopes to yourself until they ripen. Above all, remember the final line, which has comforted readers for centuries: just as joy passed, this sorrow too will pass.
I said, "I grieve for you." Came the reply: "Your grief will end."
I said, "Be my moon." Came the reply: "If it should rise."
I said, "Learn the custom of faithfulness from those who love."
Came the reply: "From the fair of face this is seldom found."
I said, "I will bar the road of sight against your image."
Came the reply: "It walks by night; it will come another way."
I said, "The scent of your curl has led me astray in the world."
Came the reply: "If you knew, that same scent would be your guide."
I said, "Happy the air that rises with the morning breeze."
Came the reply: "Cooler the breeze that blows from the beloved's lane."
I said, "The honey of your ruby lip has killed us with longing."
Came the reply: "Serve, for it is kind to those who serve."
I said, "When will your merciful heart resolve on peace?"
Came the reply: "Tell no one, until its time arrives."
I said, "You saw how the time of joy came to an end."
Came the reply: "Be silent, Hafez, for this sorrow too will end."