Hafez · Ghazal 352 · Serving in the tavern
روزگاری شد که در میخانه خدمت می‌کنمدر لباس فقر کار اهل دولت می‌کنم
تا کی اندر دام وصل آرم تذروی خوش‌خرامدر کمینم و انتظار وقت فرصت می‌کنم
واعظ ما بوی حق نشنید بشنو کاین سخندر حضورش نیز می‌گویم نه غیبت می‌کنم
با صبا افتان و خیزان می‌روم تا کوی دوستو از رفیقان ره استمداد همت می‌کنم
خاک کویت زحمت ما برنتابد بیش از اینلطف‌ها کردی بتا، تخفیف زحمت می‌کنم
زلف دلبر دام راه و غمزه‌اش تیر بلاستیاد دار ای دل که چندینت نصیحت می‌کنم
دیده بدبین بپوشان ای کریم عیب‌پوشزین دلیری‌ها که من در کنج خلوت می‌کنم
حافظم در مجلسی دردی‌کشم در محفلیبنگر این شوخی که چون با خلق، صنعت می‌کنم
Hafez waits patiently for the right moment, lying in wait like a hunter for a graceful pheasant. If you are hoping for an opening, the verse counsels steady service and good timing rather than haste. Ask for the blessing of companions on the road; stumbling and rising is still moving forward. Know when you have received enough kindness and should not overstay. And trust in the One who covers faults: you do not need to be perfect to be loved.
For a long time now I have served in the tavern;
in the clothes of poverty I do the work of the fortunate.
Until I bring a gracefully walking pheasant into the snare of union,
I lie in wait and watch for the moment of opportunity.
Our preacher has caught no scent of the Truth; listen, for
I say this to his face as well; it is not backbiting.
Stumbling and rising, I go with the breeze to the Friend's lane,
and ask my companions on the road for the help of their blessing.
The dust of your lane cannot bear our burden any longer;
you have been very kind, my idol; I will lighten the burden and go.
The beloved's curl is a snare on the road, and her glance an arrow of trouble;
remember this, O heart, for I have warned you so many times.
O Generous One who covers faults, close the fault-finding eye
to the daring things I do in the corner of solitude.
In one assembly I am a hafez, in another a drinker of dregs;
see this playfulness, how I practise my art upon people.