Hafez · Ghazal 251 · The night of union
شب وصل است و طی شد نامه هجر«سلام فیه حتی مطلع الفجر»
دلا در عاشقی ثابت‌قدم باشکه در این ره نباشد کار بی‌اجر
من از رندی نخواهم کرد توبهو لو آذیتني بالهجر و الحجر
برآی ای صبح روشن‌دل خدا راکه بس تاریک می‌بینم شب هجر
دلم رفت و ندیدم روی دل‌دارفغان از این تطاول، آه از این زجر
وفا خواهی، جفاکش باش حافظفان الربح و الخسران في التجر
This short ghazal opens with peace: the letter of separation is folded away, and the night is calm until dawn. Its counsel is steadfastness. Stand firm in what you love, Hafez says, for on this road no effort goes unrewarded. There may still be some darkness to pass through, and you may have to bear some unkindness, but every venture has its gains and losses, and faithfulness is worth its cost. Ask the bright morning to rise, and trust that it will. The night of parting is already turning into the night of union.
It is the night of union, and the letter of parting is folded away:
"Peace it is, until the rising of the dawn."
O heart, stand steadfast in love,
for on this road no work goes unrewarded.
I will not repent of the rend's way,
even if you hurt me with parting and with stones.
Rise, O bright-hearted morning, for God's sake,
for very dark I find the night of parting.
My heart has gone, and I have not seen the beloved's face;
alas for this oppression, ah for this torment!
If you want faithfulness, Hafez, endure unkindness,
for profit and loss both belong to trade.