Hafez · Ghazal 448 · A dwelling in the tavern street
ای که در کوی خرابات مقامی داریجم وقت خودی ار دست به جامی داری
ای که با زلف و رخ یار گذاری شب و روزفرصتت باد که خوش صبحی و شامی داری
ای صبا! سوختگان بر سر ره منتظرندگر از آن یار سفرکرده پیامی داری
خال سرسبز تو خوش دانه عیشی‌ست ولیبر کنار چمنش وه که چه دامی داری
بوی جان از لب خندان قدح می‌شنومبشنو ای خواجه اگر زان که مشامی داری
چون به هنگام وفا هیچ ثباتیت نبودمی‌کنم شکر که بر جور دوامی داری
نام نیک ار طلبد از تو غریبی چه شود؟تویی امروز در این شهر که نامی داری
بس دعای سحرت مونس جان خواهد بودتو که چون حافظ شب‌خیز غلامی داری
If you are near what you love, morning and evening, Hafez says: make the most of it, for these days are sweet. If you are still waiting for news from someone far away, the breeze may yet bring it. And if you hold some influence or good standing, use it kindly; a stranger's request is a chance to earn a good name. Be watchful of pleasures that conceal snares, enjoy those that are clear, and know that faithful prayers are working quietly on your behalf.
O you who have a dwelling in the street of the tavern,
you are the Jamshid of your time if you have a cup in hand.
O you who pass night and day with the beloved's curl and face,
make the most of it, for your mornings and evenings are sweet.
O breeze, the burnt ones are waiting at the head of the road,
if you have a message from that beloved who went travelling.
Your fresh green mole is a lovely seed of pleasure, but
ah, what a snare you have set at the edge of that meadow!
I catch the scent of the soul from the laughing lip of the cup;
breathe it in, sir, if you have any sense of smell.
Since you had no constancy when it was time to be faithful,
I give thanks that at least you are constant in cruelty.
What would it matter if a stranger asked you for a good name?
Today you are the one in this city who has a name.
Many a dawn prayer will keep your soul company,
you who have a night-rising servant like Hafez.