Ghazal · 12th century

Come, My Soul

Anvariانوری

بیا ای جان، بیا ای جان، بیا فریاد رس ما را

Come, my soul, come, my soul, come and answer my cry;

چو ما را یک نفس باشد، نباشی یک نفس ما را

while I have a single breath, you are not mine for a single breath.

ز عشقت گرچه با دردیم و در هجرانت اندر غم

Though your love leaves me in pain, and your absence in grief,

ز عشق تو نه بس باشد ز هجران تو بس ما را

of your love I never have enough; of your absence I have had enough.

کم از یک دم زدن ما را اگر در دیده خواب آید

If sleep comes to my eyes for less than the space of a breath,

غم عشقت بجنباند به گوش اندر جرس ما را

the grief of your love rings a bell in my ear.

لبت چون چشمه نوش است و ما اندر هوس مانده

Your lips are a spring of sweetness, and I am left with the longing

که بر وصل لبت یک روز باشد دست‌رس ما را

that one day I may reach the union of your lips.

به آب چشمه حیوان حیاتی انوری را ده

With the water of the spring of life, give Anvari life,

که اندر آتش عشقت بکشتی زین هوس ما را

for in the fire of your love you have killed me with this longing.

From: The Divan of Anvari
Translation: Persiahaus Editors
Source: Draft translation from the Ganjoor text
Persian text: Ganjoor

A note for readers

A complete ghazal from Anvari’s Divan. The lover calls the beloved his soul, and in the last couplet names himself and asks for the water of life, the legendary spring that grants immortality. Anvari’s ghazals are less famous than his qasidas, but they belong to the century in which the ghazal became a major form.