If she had written us a letter

آن غالیه‌خط گر سوی ما نامه نوشتی

If that one with the ambergris down had written us a letter,

گردون ورق هستی ما درننوشتی

the sky would not have folded up the page of our existence.

هر چند که هجران ثمر وصل برآرد

Though separation bears the fruit of union,

دهقان جهان! کاش که این تخم نکشتی

O farmer of the world, I wish you had never sown this seed.

آمرزش نقد است کسی را که در این جا

Forgiveness is ready cash for anyone who has, here and now,

یاری‌ست چو حوری و سرایی چو بهشتی

a friend like a houri and a house like paradise.

در مصطبه عشق تنعم نتوان کرد

On the bench of love one cannot live in luxury;

چون بالش زر نیست، بسازیم به خشتی

since there is no golden pillow, we will make do with a brick.

مفروش به باغ ارم و نخوت شداد

Do not trade, for the garden of Iram and the pride of Shaddad,

یک شیشه می و نوش‌لبی و لب کشتی

one flask of wine, a sweet-lipped friend, and the edge of a field.

تا کی غم دنیای دنی ای دل دانا؟

How long, O wise heart, this grief for the mean world?

حیف است ز خوبی که شود عاشق زشتی

It is a pity for the good to fall in love with the ugly.

آلودگی خرقه، خرابی جهان است

The stain on the cloak is the ruin of the world;

کو راهروی، اهل دلی، پاک‌سرشتی؟

where is a traveller, a person of heart, someone pure by nature?

از دست چرا هشت سر زلف تو حافظ؟

Why did Hafez let the end of your curl slip from his hand?

تقدیر چنین بود، چه کردی که نهشتی؟

It was fated so: what could you have done to keep it?