Hafez · Ghazal 357 · In the tavern, the light of God
در خرابات مغان نور خدا می‌بینماین عجب بین که چه نوری ز کجا می‌بینم
جلوه بر من مفروش ای ملک‌الحاج که توخانه می‌بینی و من خانه خدا می‌بینم
خواهم از زلف بتان نافه‌گشایی کردنفکر دور است همانا که خطا می‌بینم
سوز دل، اشک روان، آه سحر، ناله شباین همه از نظر لطف شما می‌بینم
هر دم از روی تو نقشی زندم راه خیالبا که گویم که در این پرده چه‌ها می‌بینم
کس ندیده‌ست ز مشک ختن و نافه چینآنچه من هر سحر از باد صبا می‌بینم
دوستان عیب نظربازی حافظ مکنیدکه من او را ز محبان شما می‌بینم
Hafez sees the light of God in the most unlikely place, the tavern, and asks the proud pilgrim not to confuse the house with its Lord. This ghazal invites you to look beneath appearances. The grace you are seeking may be shining where you least expect it. Even your sighs and tears can be read as signs of kindness, drawing you closer. Each dawn the breeze brings something precious, if you notice it. Trust what your heart sees, even if others cannot yet see it.
In the tavern of the Magians I see the light of God;
see this wonder: what light I see, and where I see it!
Do not parade yourself before me, O king of pilgrims, for you
see the house, and I see the Lord of the house.
I want to open the musk-pod of the idols' curls;
it is a far-fetched thought; I see it is a mistake.
The burning heart, the flowing tears, the sigh at dawn, the cry at night:
all this I see as a glance of your kindness.
Every moment an image of your face waylays my imagination;
whom can I tell what I see behind this veil?
No one has seen, in the musk of Khotan or the musk-pod of China,
what I see every dawn from the morning breeze.
Friends, do not blame Hafez for gazing at beauty,
for I see him as one of those who love you.