Hafez · Ghazal 457 · A thousand times I tried
هزار جهد بکردم که یار من باشیمرادبخش دل بی‌قرار من باشی
چراغ دیده شب‌زنده‌دار من گردیانیس خاطر امیدوار من باشی
چو خسروان ملاحت، به بندگان نازندتو در میانه، خداوندگار من باشی
از آن عقیق که خونین‌دلم ز عشوه اواگر کنم گله‌ای غم‌گسار من باشی
در آن چمن که بتان، دست عاشقان گیرندگرت ز دست برآید، نگار من باشی
شبی به کلبه احزان عاشقان آییدمی انیس دل سوگوار من باشی
شود غزاله خورشید، صید لاغر منگر آهویی چو تو یک دم، شکار من باشی
سه بوسه کز دو لبت، کرده‌ای وظیفه مناگر ادا نکنی، قرض‌دار من باشی
من این مراد ببینم به خود که نیم‌شبیبه جای اشک روان، در کنار من باشی
من ار چه حافظ شهرم، جویی نمی‌ارزممگر تو از کرم خویش، یار من باشی
This is a ghazal of patient, devoted hope. Hafez has tried a thousand times, and still he imagines the beloved as a lamp in the night, a comforter, a friend who would sit with him in his house of sorrows. Your heart, too, may be holding a wish you have carried for a long time. Hafez reminds you that some gifts cannot be won by effort alone; they come through kindness freely given. Keep your hope warm and your heart open, and let tears give way to trust.
A thousand times I tried to make you my friend,
the one who grants the wishes of my restless heart,
to have you become the lamp of my night-waking eyes,
the companion of my hopeful mind.
When the kings of beauty are proud towards their servants,
you, among them all, would be my lord.
Of that carnelian lip whose coquetry has made my heart bleed,
if I should complain, you would be my comforter.
In that meadow where the idols take the lovers by the hand,
if it is in your power, you would be my beloved.
One night you would come to the lovers' house of sorrows
and for a moment be the companion of my mourning heart.
The gazelle of the sun would be a lean catch for me
if, for one moment, a deer like you were my prey.
The three kisses you have set aside for me as my due from your two lips,
if you do not pay them, you will be in my debt.
I hope to see this wish fulfilled: that one midnight,
in place of flowing tears, you will be in my arms.
Though I am the Hafez of the city, I am not worth a barleycorn,
unless you, of your own kindness, become my friend.