Hafez · Ghazal 366 · We have come to this door for refuge
ما بدین در نه پی حشمت و جاه آمده‌ایماز بد حادثه این جا به پناه آمده‌ایم
رهرو منزل عشقیم و ز سرحد عدمتا به اقلیم وجود این همه راه آمده‌ایم
سبزه خط تو دیدیم و ز بستان بهشتبه طلبکاری این مهرگیاه آمده‌ایم
با چنین گنج که شد خازن او روح امینبه گدایی به در خانه شاه آمده‌ایم
لنگر حلم تو ای کشتی توفیق کجاست؟که در این بحر کرم غرق گناه آمده‌ایم
آبرو می‌رود ای ابر خطاپوش ببارکه به دیوان عمل نامه‌سیاه آمده‌ایم
حافظ این خرقه پشمینه بینداز که مااز پی قافله با آتش آه آمده‌ایم
You have come to this reading not for status but for shelter, and that is exactly the spirit of this ghazal. Hafez stands at a generous door, aware of his shortcomings, asking for an anchor in rough water and a cloud to wash his record clean. If you are carrying regret or feel you have fallen short, know that honesty and humility open doors that pride cannot. You have travelled a long way to get here. Lay down the heavy cloak of appearances, bring your sincere longing, and trust that the sea you fear is also a sea of kindness.
We have not come to this door for pomp and rank;
we have come here for shelter from misfortune.
We are travellers to the station of love, and from the frontier of non-being
to the realm of existence we have come all this way.
We saw the green down of your cheek, and from the garden of paradise
we have come in search of this love-root.
With such a treasure, whose keeper is the Trusted Spirit,
we have come begging to the door of the king's house.
Where is the anchor of your forbearance, O ship of grace?
For in this sea of generosity we have come drowned in sin.
Our honour is going; O sin-covering cloud, rain down,
for to the court of deeds we have come with a blackened record.
Hafez, throw off this woollen cloak, for we
have come after the caravan with the fire of sighs.