Hafez · Ghazal 233 · I will not stop seeking
دست از طلب ندارم تا کام من برآیدیا تن رسد به جانان یا جان ز تن برآید
بگشای تربتم را بعد از وفات و بنگرکز آتش درونم دود از کفن برآید
بنمای رخ که خلقی واله شوند و حیرانبگشای لب که فریاد از مرد و زن برآید
جان بر لب است و حسرت در دل که از لبانشنگرفته هیچ کامی جان از بدن برآید
از حسرت دهانش آمد به تنگ جانمخود کام تنگدستان کی زان دهن برآید
گویند ذکر خیرش در خیل عشقبازانهر جا که نام حافظ در انجمن برآید
This short ghazal is a declaration of resolve: I will not stop seeking until I reach what I long for. Something matters to you deeply, and the fire of it is not going out. Hafez honours that fire. He suggests that wholehearted devotion, even when it seems unrewarded, leaves a good name behind it and is remembered with warmth. Keep going with your search, but let it be steady rather than desperate. A longing this sincere has its own dignity, and the people who understand love will understand you.
I will not stop seeking until my desire is fulfilled:
either my body reaches the beloved, or my soul leaves my body.
Open my grave after I have died, and look:
from the fire within me, smoke will rise from my shroud.
Show your face, so that people grow distraught and bewildered;
open your lips, so that a cry goes up from men and women.
My soul is on my lips, and there is longing in my heart, that
without taking any pleasure from her lips, my soul should leave my body.
From longing for her mouth my soul is in a narrow place;
when will the poor man's wish come true from that narrow mouth?
Among the ranks of lovers they speak well of him
wherever the name of Hafez comes up in company.