Hafez · Ghazal 258 · A thousand thanks that I see you again
هزار شکر که دیدم به کام خویشت بازز روی صدق و صفا گشته با دلم دمساز
روندگان طریقت ره بلا سپرندرفیق عشق چه غم دارد از نشیب و فراز
غم حبیب نهان به ز گفت و گوی رقیبکه نیست سینه ارباب کینه، محرم راز
اگر چه حسن تو از عشق غیر مستغنی‌ستمن آن نیم که از این عشق‌بازی آیم باز
چه گویمت که ز سوز درون چه می‌بینمز اشک پرس حکایت که من نیم غماز
چه فتنه بود که مشاطه قضا انگیختکه کرد نرگس مستش سیه به سرمه ناز
بدین سپاس که مجلس منور است به دوستگرت چو شمع جفایی رسد بسوز و بساز
غرض کرشمه حسن است ور نه حاجت نیستجمال دولت محمود را به زلف ایاز
غزل سرایی ناهید صرفه‌ای نبرددر آن مقام که حافظ برآورد آواز
This ghazal begins with gratitude: a thousand thanks that what you hoped to see again has returned, sincere and in harmony with your heart. If something or someone has come back to you, or you are hoping it will, Hafez asks you to cherish it with a grateful and constant heart. On love's road there are ups and downs, but a true companion does not mind them. Keep your private feelings away from those who wish you ill. And if a little hardship comes even in good times, bear it with grace, like a candle that gives light while it burns.
A thousand thanks that I have seen you back, as I wished,
in truth and purity, in tune once more with my heart.
Travellers on the path walk the road of affliction;
why should love's companion care about the ups and downs?
Hidden grief for the beloved is better than the rival's talk,
for the breasts of the spiteful are no place for secrets.
Although your beauty has no need of anyone's love,
I am not one to turn back from this game of love.
What can I tell you of what I see from the burning within?
Ask my tears for the story, for I am no tell-tale.
What mischief the tirewoman of fate stirred up
when she darkened her drunken narcissus eye with the kohl of coquetry!
In thanks that the gathering is lit by the Friend,
if some unkindness reaches you, burn like the candle, and bear it.
The point is beauty's glance; otherwise the splendour
of Mahmud's fortune would have no need of Ayaz's curl.
Venus's singing of ghazals gains nothing
in the place where Hafez raises his voice.