Hafez · Ghazal 33 · What need is there?
خلوت گزیده را به تماشا چه حاجت استچون کوی دوست هست به صحرا چه حاجت است
جانا به حاجتی که تو را هست با خداکآخر دمی بپرس که ما را چه حاجت است
ای پادشاه حسن خدا را بسوختیمآخر سؤال کن که گدا را چه حاجت است
ارباب حاجتیم و زبان سؤال نیستدر حضرت کریم، تمنا چه حاجت است
محتاج قصه نیست گرت قصد خون ماستچون رخت از آن توست، به یغما چه حاجت است
جام جهان نماست ضمیر منیر دوستاظهار احتیاج، خود آن جا چه حاجت است
آن شد که بار منت ملاح بردمیگوهر چو دست داد به دریا چه حاجت است
ای مدعی برو که مرا با تو کار نیستاحباب حاضرند، به اعدا چه حاجت است
ای عاشق گدا چو لب روح‌بخش یارمی‌داندت وظیفه، تقاضا چه حاجت است
حافظ! تو ختم کن که هنر خود عیان شودبا مدعی نزاع و محاکا چه حاجت است
You may feel you have to explain yourself, plead or argue to receive what you need. Hafez gently lifts that weight. In the presence of the Generous, there is no need to beg; a heart that loves you already knows your need, as Jamshid's cup showed the whole world. When the pearl is in your hand, you no longer need the sea. So rest. True worth makes itself plain without quarrels. Stay close to your friends and to what you love, and trust that your portion is known.
What need has one who has chosen solitude for sights to see?
When the Friend's lane is here, what need is there of the open country?
My soul, by the need you have of God,
ask at last, for a moment, what need we have.
O king of beauty, for God's sake, we have burned;
ask at last what the beggar needs.
We are people in need, and have no tongue to ask;
in the presence of the Generous, what need is there to plead?
If you intend our blood, there is no need for a pretext;
since our goods are yours, what need is there to plunder?
The Friend's luminous mind is a world-revealing cup;
what need is there, then, to declare one's need?
Gone is the time I bore the weight of the boatman's favour;
when the pearl has come to hand, what need is there of the sea?
Go, pretender, I have no business with you;
the friends are here: what need is there of enemies?
O beggar lover, since the beloved's life-giving lip
knows your portion, what need is there to demand?
Hafez, end it here, for merit makes itself plain;
what need is there to quarrel and argue with the pretender?