Hafez · Ghazal 426 · A letter in my heart's blood
از خون دل نوشتم، نزدیک دوست نامه«انی رأیت دهرا، من هجرک القیامه»
دارم من از فراقش، در دیده صد علامتلیست دموع عینی، هذا لنا العلامه؟
هر چند کآزمودم، از وی نبود سودممن جرب المجرب، حلت به الندامه
پرسیدم از طبیبی، احوال دوست گفتا«فی بعدها عذاب، فی قربها السلامه»
گفتم «ملامت آید، گر گرد دوست گردم»و الله ما رأینا، حبا بلا ملامه
حافظ چو طالب آمد، جامی به جان شیرینحتی یذوق منه، کأسا من الکرامه
You have been living through a separation that has felt very long, and you have written your longing out with your whole heart. Hafez's physician gives a simple diagnosis: distance hurts, and nearness heals. Stop testing what you already know to be true, and do not let the fear of others' opinions keep you away; no real love has ever been free of blame. Move toward what you love with sincerity, and you may find that the cup you seek is one of grace.
I wrote a letter to the Friend in my heart's blood:
"In your absence I have seen a time like the Day of Resurrection."
From her absence I carry a hundred signs in my eyes:
are the tears of my eyes not sign enough?
However often I tested her, it brought me no gain:
whoever tests the tested comes to regret.
I asked a physician how the Friend was faring; he said,
"In her distance there is torment, in her nearness, safety."
I said, "Blame will come if I circle round the Friend."
By God, we have never seen a love without blame.
Hafez has come seeking a cup, at the price of his sweet life,
so that he may taste from it a cup of grace.