Hafez · Ghazal 475 · A second Joseph
گفتند خلایق که تویی یوسف ثانیچون نیک بدیدم به حقیقت به از آنی
شیرین‌تر از آنی به شکرخنده که گویمای خسرو خوبان که تو شیرین زمانی
تشبیه دهانت نتوان کرد به غنچههرگز نبود غنچه بدین تنگ دهانی
صد بار بگفتی که دهم زان دهنت کامچون سوسن آزاده چرا جمله زبانی؟
گویی بدهم کامت و جانت بستانمترسم ندهی کامم و جانم بستانی
چشم تو خدنگ از سپر جان گذراندبیمار که دیده‌ست بدین سخت کمانی
چون اشک بیندازیش از دیده مردمآن را که دمی از نظر خویش برانی
This short ghazal is full of admiration: the beloved is lovelier than Joseph, sweeter than Shirin. Yet Hafez notices, with a smile, that the promises come easily and their keeping is slow, like the lily that is all tongue. If you are waiting on someone's word, enjoy the beauty in what is offered, but let your heart rest on what is actually given, not only on what is said. Your devotion is precious; place it where it will be honoured, and be gentle with yourself while you wait.
People said that you are a second Joseph;
when I looked closely, in truth you are better than he.
With your sugared smile you are sweeter than I can say,
O Khosrow of the beautiful, for you are the Shirin of your age.
Your mouth cannot be compared to a rosebud;
never was there a bud with so small a mouth.
A hundred times you said, "I will grant your wish from that mouth";
why are you, like the free lily, all tongue?
You say, "I will grant your wish and take your life";
I fear you will not grant my wish, and will take my life.
Your eye sends an arrow through the shield of the soul;
who has ever seen a sick one draw so strong a bow?
Like a tear, you cast from the eyes of people
anyone you banish for a moment from your sight.