Hafez · Ghazal 451 · Fortune helped you well
خوش کرد یاوری فلکت روز داوریتا شکر چون کنی و چه شکرانه آوری
آن کس که اوفتاد خدایش گرفت دستگو بر تو باد تا غم افتادگان خوری
در کوی عشق شوکت شاهی نمی‌خرنداقرار بندگی کن و اظهار چاکری
ساقی به مژدگانی عیش از درم درآیتا یک دم از دلم غم دنیا به در بری
در شاه‌راه جاه و بزرگی خطر بسی‌ستآن به کز این گریوه سبک‌بار بگذری
سلطان و فکر لشکر و سودای تاج و گنجدرویش و امن خاطر و کنج قلندری
یک حرف صوفیانه بگویم اجازت است؟ای نور دیده صلح به از جنگ و داوری
نیل مراد بر حسب فکر و همت استاز شاه نذر خیر و ز توفیق یاوری
حافظ غبار فقر و قناعت ز رخ مشویکاین خاک بهتر از عمل کیمیاگری
Fortune has helped you through a testing time, and Hafez asks a beautiful question: how will you give thanks? His answer is to lift others as you were lifted. Travel lightly; great position brings great worry, and peace of mind is worth more than treasure. If there is a quarrel in your life, remember his Sufi word: peace is better than war. Your hopes will be met in the measure of your resolve, with help from beyond. Contentment is your gold.
The sky gave you fine help on the day of judgement;
now see how you will give thanks, and what thanks-offering you will bring.
Whoever fell, God took him by the hand;
so it is on you now to care for the grief of the fallen.
In the street of love they do not buy the splendour of kings;
confess yourself a servant and declare yourself a slave.
Saqi, come in through my door with the good news of pleasure,
and for a moment carry the world's grief out of my heart.
On the highway of rank and greatness there is much danger;
better to cross this mountain pass lightly laden.
The sultan: thoughts of his army, and passion for crown and treasure;
the dervish: peace of mind and the corner of a qalandar.
May I say one word in the Sufi way?
Light of my eyes, peace is better than war and dispute.
Reaching your desire is in the measure of your thought and resolve:
from the king, a vow of goodwill; from Providence, help.
Hafez, do not wash the dust of poverty and contentment from your face,
for this dust is better than the work of alchemy.