Hafez · Ghazal 355 · The wisdom of the moment
حالیا مصلحت وقت در آن می‌بینمکه کشم رخت به میخانه و خوش بنشینم
جام می گیرم و از اهل ریا دور شومیعنی از اهل جهان پاکدلی بگزینم
جز صراحی و کتابم نبود یار و ندیمتا حریفان دغا را به جهان کم بینم
سر به آزادگی از خلق برآرم چون سروگر دهد دست که دامن ز جهان درچینم
بس که در خرقه آلوده زدم لاف صلاحشرمسار از رخ ساقی و می رنگینم
سینه تنگ من و بار غم او، هیهاتمرد این بار گران نیست دل مسکینم
من اگر رند خراباتم و گر زاهد شهراین متاعم که همی‌بینی و کمتر زینم
بنده آصف عهدم دلم از راه مبرکه اگر دم زنم از چرخ بخواهد کینم
بر دلم گرد ستم‌هاست خدایا مپسندکه مکدر شود آیینه مهرآیینم
Hafez decides that the wisdom of the moment is to step back from false company and keep a simpler life: a good book, a quiet cup, and friends who are pure of heart. If you have been worn down by pretence or by people who drain you, the verse gives you permission to withdraw for a while and stand free like the cypress. Be honest about who you are, no more and no less. Above all, keep the mirror of your heart clear, so it can still reflect love.
For now I see the wisdom of the moment in this:
to carry my belongings to the tavern and sit there content.
I will take the cup of wine and keep away from the hypocrites;
that is, among the people of the world I will choose the pure of heart.
I will have no friend or companion but the flask and the book,
so that I see less of the world's false companions.
Like the cypress, I will raise my head in freedom above the crowd,
if I am able to gather my hem away from the world.
I have boasted so much of virtue in my stained cloak
that I am ashamed before the saqi's face and the coloured wine.
My narrow breast and the burden of grief for her, alas!
My poor heart is no match for this heavy load.
Whether I am a rend of the tavern or the zahid of the town,
I am these goods that you see, and less than these.
I am the servant of the Asaf of our age; do not lead my heart astray,
for if I breathe a word, he will take my revenge on the turning sky.
The dust of injustice has settled on my heart; O God, do not allow
this mirror that reflects love to grow clouded.