At dawn in the garden

سحر به بوی گلستان دمی شدم در باغ

At dawn, for the scent of the rose garden, I went for a while into the garden,

که تا چو بلبل بیدل کنم علاج دماغ

to soothe my troubled mind, like the heartsick nightingale.

به جلوه گل سوری نگاه می‌کردم

I was gazing at the splendour of the red rose,

که بود در شب تیره به روشنی چو چراغ

which shone in the dark night like a lamp.

چنان به حسن و جوانی خویشتن مغرور

So proud was she of her own beauty and youth

که داشت از دل بلبل هزار گونه فراغ

that she was a thousand ways indifferent to the nightingale's heart.

گشاده نرگس رعنا ز حسرت آب از چشم

The graceful narcissus had opened its eyes and wept with longing;

نهاده لاله ز سودا به جان و دل صد داغ

the tulip, from passion, had set a hundred brands on its soul and heart.

زبان کشیده چو تیغی به سرزنش سوسن

The lily had drawn out its tongue like a sword to reproach,

دهان گشاده شقایق چو مردم ایغاغ

the anemone had opened its mouth like a telltale.

یکی چو باده پرستان صراحی اندر دست

One, like a wine-worshipper, held a flask in hand;

یکی چو ساقی مستان به کف گرفته ایاغ

another, like a saqi to the drunken, held a cup.

نشاط و عیش و جوانی چو گل غنیمت دان

Count joy and pleasure and youth a gift, like the rose,

که حافظا نبود بر رسول غیر بلاغ

for, Hafez, the messenger's only task is to deliver the message.