I Did Not Know at First

من ندانستم از اول که تو بی مهر و وفایی

I did not know at first that you had no kindness and no faith;

عهد نابستن از آن به که ببندی و نپایی

better never to make a promise than to make it and not keep it.

دوستان عیب کنندم که «چرا دل به تو دادم؟»

My friends find fault with me: ‘Why did you give your heart to him?’

باید اول به تو گفتن که «چنین خوب چرایی؟»

They should first ask you: ‘Why are you so beautiful?’

ای که گفتی «مرو اندر پی خوبان زمانه»

You who told me, ‘Do not chase after the beauties of the age’:

ما کجاییم در این بحر تفکر، تو کجایی؟

where are we, in this sea of thought, and where are you?

آن نه خالست و زنخدان و سر زلف پریشان

It is not the mole and the chin and the scattered curls

که دل اهل نظر برد؛ که سریست خدایی

that steal the hearts of those who see; it is a secret of God.

پرده بردار که بیگانه خود این روی نبیند

Lift the veil, for no stranger can see this face;

تو بزرگی و در آیینه کوچک، ننمایی

you are great, and cannot appear in a little mirror.

حلقه بر در نتوانم زدن از دست رقیبان

I cannot knock at your door, for the rivals;

این توانم که بیایم به محلت به گدایی

this much I can do: come to your quarter as a beggar.

عشق و درویشی و انگشت‌نمایی و ملامت

Love and poverty, being pointed at, and blame:

همه سهلست؛ تحمل نکنم بار جدایی

all of it is easy; what I cannot bear is the weight of parting.

روز صحرا و سماعست و لب جوی و تماشا

It is a day for the fields and for music, for the stream’s edge and the view;

در همه شهر دلی نیست که دیگر بربایی

in all the town there is no heart left for you to steal.

گفته بودم چو بیایی غم دل با تو بگویم

I had said that when you came I would tell you my heart’s grief;

چه بگویم که غم از دل برود چون تو بیایی

what can I say, when grief leaves the heart as soon as you come?