Hafez · Ghazal 466 · This cloak of mine
این خرقه که من دارم در رهن شراب اولیوین دفتر بی‌معنی غرق می ناب اولی
چون عمر تبه کردم چندان که نگه کردمدر کنج خراباتی افتاده خراب اولی
چون مصلحت اندیشی دور است ز درویشیهم سینه پر از آتش هم دیده پرآب اولی
من حالت زاهد را با خلق نخواهم گفتاین قصه اگر گویم با چنگ و رباب اولی
تا بی سر و پا باشد اوضاع فلک زین دستدر سر هوس ساقی در دست شراب اولی
از همچو تو دلداری دل برنکنم آریچون تاب کشم باری زان زلف به تاب اولی
چون پیر شدی حافظ از میکده بیرون آیرندی و هوسناکی در عهد شباب اولی
Hafez sets aside the cloak of appearances: better an honest heart full of fire than a show of piety or careful calculation. He will not gossip about others; he would rather turn even hard truths into music. Then, in the last line, he smiles at himself and admits that every season of life has its own fitting way. Your question may be asking you to be more honest about what you really want, and also to recognise which season you are in. Choose sincerity, and let your choices suit the time.
This cloak I wear is better pawned for wine,
and this book without meaning better drowned in pure wine.
Since I have wasted my life, as far as I can see,
it is better to lie ruined in some corner of the tavern.
Since calculating prudence is far from the dervish way,
better a breast full of fire and eyes full of tears.
I will not tell people about the ascetic's state;
if I tell this tale, it is better told to harp and rebab.
As long as the ways of the heavens are this unsteady,
better a longing for the saqi in the head, and wine in the hand.
I will not tear my heart from a beloved like you; yes,
if I must suffer a twist, better from that twisted curl.
Hafez, now that you have grown old, come out of the wine-house;
rendi and wild desire are better in the days of youth.