I say it openly

فاش می‌گویم و از گفته خود دلشادم

I say it openly, and I am glad of what I say:

بنده عشقم و از هر دو جهان آزادم

I am the slave of love, and free of both worlds.

طایر گلشن قدسم چه دهم شرح فراق؟

I am a bird from the garden of holiness; how can I tell of separation,

که در این دامگه حادثه چون افتادم

of how I fell into this snare of chance and happening?

من ملک بودم و فردوس برین جایم بود

I was an angel, and the highest paradise was my home;

آدم آورد در این دیر خراب‌آبادم

Adam brought me into this ruined, half-built monastery.

سایه طوبی و دلجویی حور و لب حوض

The shade of the Tuba tree, the comfort of the houris and the edge of the pool

به هوای سر کوی تو برفت از یادم

have all slipped from my memory in longing for your lane.

نیست بر لوح دلم جز الف قامت دوست

On the tablet of my heart there is nothing but the alef of the Friend's stature;

چه کنم حرف دگر یاد نداد استادم

what can I do? My teacher taught me no other letter.

کوکب بخت مرا هیچ منجم نشناخت

No astrologer has recognised the star of my fortune;

یا رب از مادر گیتی به چه طالع زادم؟

O Lord, under what sign was I born from the mother of the world?

تا شدم حلقه به گوش در میخانه عشق

Since I became a ringed slave at the door of love's tavern,

هر دم آید غمی از نو به مبارکبادم

every moment a new sorrow comes to congratulate me.

می‌خورد خون دلم مردمک دیده، سزاست

The pupil of my eye drinks my heart's blood, and that is fitting,

که چرا دل به جگرگوشه مردم دادم

for why did I give my heart to someone else's darling?

پاک کن چهره حافظ به سر زلف ز اشک

With the tip of your curl, wipe the tears from Hafez's face,

ور نه این سیل دمادم ببرد بنیادم

or else this endless flood will sweep away my foundation.