I, deny wine?

من و انکار شراب! این چه حکایت باشد؟

I, deny wine? What kind of story is that?

غالبا این قدرم عقل و کفایت باشد

Surely I have this much sense and judgement.

تا به غایت ره میخانه نمی‌دانستم

I simply did not know the way to the tavern;

ور نه مستوری ما تا به چه غایت باشد

otherwise, how long would our abstinence have lasted?

زاهد و عجب و نماز و من و مستی و نیاز

The zahid with his vanity and prayers, and I with my drunkenness and need:

تا تو را خود ز میان با که عنایت باشد

let us see which of us You will favour.

زاهد ار راه به رندی نبرد معذور است

If the zahid cannot find his way to rendi, he is excused:

عشق کاری‌ست که موقوف هدایت باشد

love is a matter that depends on guidance.

من که شب‌ها ره تقوا زده‌ام با دف و چنگ

I, who for nights have waylaid the road of piety with tambourine and harp,

این زمان سر به ره آرم؟ چه حکایت باشد!

am I now to bring my head back to the road? What a story that would be!

بنده پیر مغانم که ز جهلم برهاند

I am the servant of the Magian elder, who frees me from ignorance;

پیر ما هر چه کند عین عنایت باشد

whatever our elder does is pure grace.

دوش از این غصه نخفتم که رفیقی می‌گفت

Last night I could not sleep for vexation, because a friend was saying,

«حافظ ار مست بود جای شکایت باشد»

"If Hafez is drunk, that is a cause for complaint."