Hafez · Ghazal 228 · What harm if I pick one fruit
گر من از باغ تو یک میوه بچینم چه شود؟پیش پایی به چراغ تو ببینم چه شود؟
یا رب اندر کنف سایه آن سرو بلندگر من سوخته یک دم بنشینم چه شود؟
آخر ای خاتم جمشید همایون آثارگر فتد عکس تو بر نقش نگینم چه شود؟
واعظ شهر چو مهر ملک و شحنه گزیدمن اگر مهر نگاری بگزینم چه شود؟
عقلم از خانه به در رفت، وگر می این استدیدم از پیش که در خانه دینم چه شود
صرف شد عمر گرانمایه به معشوقه و میتا از آنم چه به پیش آید، از اینم چه شود؟
خواجه دانست که من عاشقم و هیچ نگفتحافظ ار نیز بداند که چنینم چه شود؟
This ghazal asks a gentle, repeated question: what harm would it do? You may be hesitating over a small request, a moment of rest, a little light for the next step. Hafez suggests that what you are asking for is modest and natural, and that there is no shame in it. Others choose power and position; you may choose love and what is dear to you. The one whose opinion matters already understands your heart. Ask simply and honestly. One fruit from the garden, one moment in the shade, may be all you need.
If I pick a single fruit from your garden, what harm would it do?
If I see the ground before my feet by your lamp, what harm?
O Lord, in the shelter of that tall cypress's shade,
if I, burned as I am, sit for one moment, what harm?
After all, O seal of Jamshid, so blessed in your traces,
if your reflection falls on the stone of my ring, what harm?
Since the city preacher has chosen the seal of king and constable,
if I choose the love of a beauty, what harm?
My reason has walked out of the house, and if this is the wine,
I have seen already what will become of the house of my faith.
My precious life was spent on the beloved and on wine;
let us see what comes to me from the one, and what from the other.
The master knew that I am a lover, and said nothing;
Hafez, if he knows too that I am this way, what harm?