Hafez · Ghazal 259 · I have opened my eyes to the Friend
منم که دیده به دیدار دوست کردم بازچه شکر گویمت ای کارساز بنده نواز؟
نیازمند بلا گو رخ از غبار مشویکه کیمیای مراد است، خاک کوی نیاز
ز مشکلات طریقت عنان متاب ای دل!که مرد راه نیندیشد از نشیب و فراز
طهارت ار نه به خون جگر کند عاشقبه قول مفتی عشقش درست نیست نماز
در این مقام مجازی به جز پیاله مگیردر این سراچه بازیچه، غیر عشق مباز
به نیم‌بوسه دعایی بخر ز اهل دلیکه کید دشمنت از جان و جسم دارد باز
فکند زمزمه عشق در حجاز و عراقنوای بانگ غزل‌های حافظ از شیراز
This ghazal opens in thanksgiving: your eyes have been opened to something you longed to see. Hafez's counsel is not to turn back when the path gets difficult. The traveller who knows where he is going does not fear the climbs and descents, and even the dust of need can become the alchemy that turns your wish to gold. Life here is brief, a playhouse, so spend it on what is real and loving. Seek the good wishes of kind-hearted people; their blessing is a quiet protection. And trust that words spoken from the heart travel far.
It is I who have opened my eyes to the sight of the Friend;
how can I thank you, O you who set things right and cherish your servant?
Tell the one who needs affliction not to wash the dust from his face,
for the dust of the lane of need is the alchemy of desire.
Do not turn your reins away from the hardships of the path, O heart,
for the traveller of the road does not fear the ups and downs.
If the lover does not make his ablutions in his heart's blood,
by the ruling of love's mufti his prayer is not valid.
In this passing place hold nothing but the cup;
in this little house of play, play at nothing but love.
For half a kiss, buy a prayer from one of the people of heart,
which will keep your enemy's plots from your soul and body.
The song of Hafez's ghazals from Shiraz
has set the murmur of love going in Hejaz and Iraq.