Hafez · Ghazal 492 · A greeting like the scent of friendship
سلامی چو بوی خوش آشناییبدان مردم دیده روشنایی
درودی چو نور دل پارسایانبدان شمع خلوتگه پارسایی
نمی‌بینم از همدمان، هیچ بر جایدلم، خون شد از غصه؛ ساقی! کجایی؟
ز کوی مغان، رخ مگردان! که آنجافروشند مفتاح مشکل‌گشایی
عروس جهان گرچه در حد حسن استز حد می‌برد شیوه بی‌وفایی
دل خسته من گرش همتی هستنخواهد ز سنگین‌دلان، مومیایی
می صوفی‌افکن، کجا می‌فروشند؟که در تابم از دست زهد ریایی
رفیقان، چنان، عهد صحبت شکستندکه گویی نبوده‌ست خود، آشنایی
مرا گر تو بگذاری، ای نفس طامع!بسی پادشایی کنم در گدایی
بیاموزمت کیمیای سعادتز هم‌صحبت بد، جدایی! جدایی!
مکن «حافظ» از جور دوران، شکایت!چه دانی تو، ای بنده! کار خدایی؟
Hafez opens with a warm greeting to someone who is the light of his eyes, and then admits that many old companions have drifted away. If you have felt let down by people you trusted, this ghazal understands. Its counsel is clear and kind: the alchemy of happiness is to step away from company that harms you, and to keep close to those who bring light. Do not seek comfort from the stone-hearted, and do not let greed or bitterness rule you. Trust that there is a wisdom at work you cannot yet see.
A greeting, like the sweet scent of friendship,
to that one who is the light in the pupil of the eye;
a salutation, like the light in the hearts of the devout,
to that candle of the chamber of devotion.
I see none of my companions left in their places;
my heart has turned to blood with sorrow: saqi, where are you?
Do not turn your face from the Magians' lane, for there
they sell the key that opens every difficulty.
Though the bride of the world is at the height of beauty,
she carries the way of faithlessness beyond all bounds.
If my weary heart has any spirit at all,
it will not ask the stone-hearted for a healing balm.
Where do they sell the wine that throws the Sufi down?
For I am in torment at the hands of hypocritical piety.
My friends have broken the pledge of companionship so completely
that you would think there had never been a friendship at all.
If you leave me alone, O greedy self,
I will be a king many times over in my beggary.
I will teach you the alchemy of happiness:
from bad company, separation! separation!
Hafez, do not complain of the cruelty of the times;
what do you know, O servant, of the workings of God?