Hafez · Ghazal 283 · At dawn, good news
سحر ز هاتف غیبم رسید مژده به گوشکه دور شاه‌شجاع است، می دلیر بنوش
شد آن که اهل نظر بر کناره می‌رفتندهزار گونه سخن در دهان و لب خاموش
به صوت چنگ بگوییم آن حکایت‌هاکه از نهفتن آن دیگ سینه می‌زد جوش
شراب خانگی ترس محتسب‌خوردهبه روی یار بنوشیم و بانگ نوشانوش
ز کوی میکده دوشش به دوش می‌بردندامام شهر که سجاده می‌کشید به دوش
دلا! دلالت خیرت کنم به راه نجاتمکن به فسق مباهات و زهد هم مفروش
محل نور تجلی‌ست رای انور شاهچو قرب او طلبی در صفای نیت کوش
به جز ثنای جلالش مساز ورد ضمیرکه هست گوش دلش محرم پیام سروش
رموز مصلحت ملک خسروان دانندگدای گوشه‌نشینی تو حافظا مخروش
A time of fear and silence is passing, Hafez says; what once had to be hidden can now be spoken to the sound of the harp. If you have been holding back words or feelings, this ghazal hints that a more open season is near. Yet he adds a wise caution: do not boast, and do not make a show of your virtue either. Seek clarity and purity in your intentions. Some matters are for others to decide; let them be, and enjoy the good news when it comes.
At dawn the good news reached my ear from the voice of the unseen:
"It is the reign of Shah Shoja; drink your wine boldly."
Gone is the time when the people of vision kept to the margins,
a thousand kinds of words in their mouths and their lips silent.
To the sound of the harp we will tell those stories
whose hiding set the cauldron of the breast boiling.
The home-made wine that lived in fear of the inspector,
we will drink to the beloved's face, with cries of "Drink! Drink!"
Last night they carried shoulder-high from the tavern's lane
the city's imam, who used to carry his prayer-mat on his shoulder.
O heart, let me guide you well to the road of salvation:
do not boast of your sins, and do not sell your piety either.
The King's bright judgement is the seat of the light of revelation;
if you seek to be near him, strive for purity of intention.
Make nothing but praise of his majesty your heart's litany,
for the ear of his heart is a confidant of the angel's message.
The secrets of the kingdom's welfare are known to kings;
you are a beggar sitting in a corner, Hafez: do not cry out.