Hafez · Ghazal 88 · The elder of Canaan said
شنیده‌ام سخنی خوش که پیر کنعان گفت«فراق یار، نه آن می‌کند که بتوان گفت»
حدیث هول قیامت که گفت واعظ شهرکنایتی‌ست که از روزگار هجران گفت
نشان یار سفرکرده از که پرسم باز؟که هر چه گفت برید صبا، پریشان گفت
فغان که آن مه نامهربان مهرگسلبه ترک صحبت یاران خود چه آسان گفت
من و مقام رضا بعد از این و شکر رقیبکه دل به درد تو خو کرد و ترک درمان گفت
غم کهن به می سال‌خورده دفع کنیدکه تخم خوش‌دلی این است؛ پیر دهقان گفت
گره به باد مزن گر چه بر مراد رودکه این سخن به مثل، باد با سلیمان گفت
به مهلتی که سپهرت دهد ز راه مروتو را که گفت که این زال ترک دستان گفت؟
مزن ز چون و چرا دم که بنده مقبلقبول کرد به جان، هر سخن که جانان گفت
که گفت حافظ از اندیشه تو آمد باز؟من این نگفته‌ام آن کس که گفت بهتان گفت
Distance from someone or something you love may be weighing on you more than words can say. Hafez does not pretend otherwise, but he offers a way to carry it: contentment. He counsels you not to lean on good fortune as though it were permanent, nor to grip at the wind, however well it blows for now. Instead, accept with a quiet heart what you cannot change, and answer old sorrow with simple, lasting pleasures. Through it all, keep faith; your love has not wavered.
I have heard a sweet saying that the old man of Canaan said:
"Separation from the beloved does what cannot be told."
The tale of the terror of Judgement Day the city preacher told
is only a hint he gave of the days of separation.
Whom should I ask again for news of the beloved who has travelled?
For whatever the courier breeze said, it said in confusion.
Alas, how easily that unkind, bond-breaking moon
spoke of leaving the company of her friends!
From now on, for me, the station of contentment, and thanks to the rival,
for the heart has grown used to your pain and given up the cure.
Drive off old grief with aged wine,
for this is the seed of a happy heart, said the old farmer.
Do not tie a knot in the wind, even if it blows as you wish,
for this is the proverb the wind told Solomon.
Do not go astray for the respite the heavens give you:
who told you this old crone has given up her tricks?
Do not breathe a word of "how" and "why", for the fortunate servant
accepted with his soul every word the beloved said.
Who said that Hafez has turned from thoughts of you?
I never said it; whoever said it spoke a slander.