Hafez · Ghazal 244 · Companions, untie the beloved's curl
معاشران! گره از زلف یار باز کنیدشبی خوش است بدین قصه‌اش دراز کنید
حضور خلوت انس است و دوستان جمعندو ان یکاد بخوانید و در فراز کنید
رباب و چنگ به بانگ بلند می‌گویند«که گوش هوش به پیغام اهل راز کنید»
به جان دوست که غم پرده بر شما ندردگر اعتماد بر الطاف کارساز کنید
میان عاشق و معشوق فرق بسیار استچو یار ناز نماید، شما نیاز کنید
نخست موعظه پیر صحبت این حرف استکه «از مصاحب ناجنس احتراز کنید»
هر آن کسی که در این حلقه نیست زنده به عشقبر او نمرده، به فتوای من نماز کنید
وگر طلب کند انعامی از شما حافظحوالتش به لب یار دل‌نواز کنید
This ghazal gathers friends together on a lovely night and asks them to make it last. It is a reading about good company and trust. Hafez promises that grief will not tear your veil if you rely on the kindness of the One who sets all things right. He also gives you an old elder's counsel: keep company with those who share your heart and values, and be careful of those who do not. Be humble with what you love, rather than proud. Above all, stay alive to love; that is what makes the gathering worth keeping.
Companions, untie the knot of the beloved's curl;
it is a lovely night: make it longer with this tale.
This is the presence of an intimate retreat, and the friends are gathered;
recite the verse against the evil eye and bolt the door.
The rebab and the harp are saying aloud:
"Lend the ear of your mind to the message of those who know the secret."
By the soul of the Friend, grief will not tear your veil
if you put your trust in the kindness of the One who sets things right.
Between the lover and the beloved there is a great difference:
when the beloved shows pride, you show your need.
The first counsel of the elder of companionship is this:
"Beware of a companion who is not of your kind."
Whoever in this circle is not alive with love,
by my ruling, say the prayer for the dead over him, though he has not died.
And if Hafez should ask you for some reward,
refer him to the lips of the heart-soothing beloved.