A nightingale won a rose

بلبلی خون دلی خورد و گلی حاصل کرد

A nightingale drank the blood of its heart and won a rose;

باد غیرت به صدش خار، پریشان‌دل کرد

the wind of jealousy, with a hundred thorns, left its heart in disarray.

طوطیی را به خیال شکری، دل‌خوش بود

A parrot's heart was glad with the thought of sugar;

ناگهش سیل فنا نقش امل، باطل کرد

suddenly the flood of mortality wiped away the picture of its hope.

قرة العین من، آن میوه دل، یادش باد

The light of my eyes, that fruit of my heart, may his memory live:

که چه آسان بشد و کار مرا مشکل کرد

how easily he went, and how hard he made my life.

ساروان! بار من افتاد، خدا را مددی

Camel-driver, my load has fallen; for God's sake, help,

که امید کرمم همره این محمل کرد

for hope of your kindness made me the companion of this litter.

روی خاکی و نم چشم مرا خوار مدار

Do not hold my dusty face and my wet eyes in contempt:

چرخ فیروزه طرب‌خانه از این کهگل کرد

the turquoise wheel built its house of joy from this clay.

آه و فریاد که از چشم حسود مه چرخ

Ah, and alas, that through the envious eye of the moon of heaven,

در لحد ماه کمان‌ابروی من منزل کرد

my moon with bow-shaped brows has made his dwelling in the grave.

نزدی شاه‌رخ و فوت شد امکان حافظ

You did not make the castling move, and Hafez's chance was lost;

چه کنم؟ بازی ایام مرا غافل کرد

what can I do? The game of the days caught me unaware.