Hafez · Ghazal 495 · Ask for wine and scatter roses
می خواه و گل‌افشان کن، از دهر چه می‌جویی؟این گفت سحرگه گل، بلبل! تو چه می‌گویی؟
مسند به گلستان بر، تا شاهد و ساقی رالب گیری و رخ بوسی، می نوشی و گل بویی
شمشاد، خرامان کن وآهنگ گلستان کنتا سرو بیآموزد از قد تو، دل‌جویی
تا غنچه خندانت، دولت به که خواهد دادای شاخ گل رعنا، از بهر که می‌رویی؟
امروز که بازارت، پرجوش خریدار استدریاب و بنه گنجی از مایه نیکویی
چون شمع، نکورویی در رهگذر باد استطرف هنری بربند از شمع نکورویی
آن طره که هر جعدش، صد نافه چین ارزدخوش بودی اگر بودی بوییش ز خوش‌خویی
هر مرغ به دستانی در گلشن شاه آمدبلبل به نواسازی، حافظ به غزل‌گویی
The rose asks a simple question at dawn: what more are you looking for? This last ghazal of the Divan is a garden in full bloom, and its counsel is to use the season well. While your market is busy and your gifts are wanted, lay up a treasure of goodness, for beauty, like a candle, stands in the wind. Let your kindness be as lovely as your outward graces. And remember that every bird brings its own song to the garden. Offer yours freely; it is exactly what is needed.
Ask for wine and scatter roses; what are you seeking from the world?
So said the rose at dawn: nightingale, what do you say?
Carry your seat into the rose garden, so that, with the beauty and the saqi,
you may take the lip and kiss the cheek, drink the wine and smell the rose.
Boxwood, walk with a sway and set out for the rose garden,
so the cypress may learn from your stature how to win hearts.
To whom will fortune give your laughing bud?
O lovely rose branch, for whose sake are you growing?
Today, while your market is thronged with buyers,
seize the moment, and lay up a treasure from the capital of goodness.
Like a candle, beauty stands in the path of the wind;
while the candle of your beauty burns, gain some lasting virtue.
That curl, each ringlet of which is worth a hundred musk-pods of China,
how lovely it would be if it had a scent of kindness too.
Every bird came to the king's garden with its own song:
the nightingale with its melody, Hafez with his ghazals.