Hafez · Ghazal 300 · If a thousand enemies
هزار دشمنم ار می‌کنند قصد هلاکگرم تو دوستی از دشمنان ندارم باک
مرا امید وصال تو زنده می‌داردو گر نه هر دمم از هجر توست بیم هلاک
نفس‌نفس اگر از باد نشنوم بویشزمان‌زمان چو گل از غم کنم گریبان چاک
رود به خواب، دو چشم از خیال تو؟ هیهاتبود صبور، دل اندر فراق تو؟ حاشاک
اگر تو زخم زنی، به که دیگری مرهمو گر تو زهر دهی، به که دیگری تریاک
بضرب سیفک قتلی حیاتنا ابدالأن روحی قد طاب ان یکون فداک
عنان مپیچ که گر می‌زنی به شمشیرمسپر کنم سر و دستت ندارم از فتراک
تو را چنان که تویی هر نظر کجا بیند؟به قدر دانش خود هر کسی کند ادراک
به چشم خلق، عزیز جهان شود حافظکه بر در تو نهد روی مسکنت بر خاک
Here is a ghazal of steady trust. If a thousand voices oppose you, Hafez says, it does not matter so long as the friend is with you; hope itself keeps you alive. If you are anxious about the opinions or hostility of others, let this calm you: one true bond outweighs much opposition. Remember too that people see only according to their own understanding, so you need not be troubled when you are misread. Stay humble and faithful, and that loyalty will itself become your honour.
If a thousand enemies set out to destroy me,
so long as you are my friend I have no fear of enemies.
The hope of union with you keeps me alive;
otherwise, every moment, I fear death from your absence.
If, breath by breath, I do not catch her scent on the wind,
moment by moment, like the rose, I tear my collar in grief.
Will my two eyes fall asleep while I think of you? Far from it.
Will my heart be patient in your absence? God forbid.
If you strike a wound, it is better than another's balm;
and if you give poison, it is better than another's antidote.
To be slain by the blow of your sword is life for us forever,
for my soul is glad to be your ransom.
Do not turn your reins away: if you strike me with your sword,
I will make my head a shield and not take my hand from your saddle-strap.
How can every eye see you as you truly are?
Each one perceives according to their own understanding.
In the eyes of the people Hafez will become dear to the world,
for at your door he lays his humble face upon the dust.