It was not fated that your sword should kill me

قتل این خسته به شمشیر تو تقدیر نبود

It was not destined that this weary one be killed by your sword;

ور نه هیچ از دل بی‌رحم تو تقصیر نبود

otherwise, your merciless heart fell short in nothing.

من دیوانه چو زلف تو رها می‌کردم

When I, the madman, was let loose like your curl,

هیچ لایق‌ترم از حلقه زنجیر نبود

nothing suited me better than the ring of a chain.

یا رب این آینه حسن چه جوهر دارد؟

O Lord, what is the metal of this mirror of beauty,

که در او آه مرا قوت تأثیر نبود

that my sigh had no power to cloud it?

سر ز حسرت به در میکده‌ها برکردم

Out of longing I lifted my head at the tavern doors,

چون شناسای تو در صومعه یک پیر نبود

since in the cloister there was not one elder who knew you.

نازنین‌تر ز قدت در چمن ناز نرست

No stature more graceful than yours has grown in the meadow of grace;

خوش‌تر از نقش تو در عالم تصویر نبود

no image sweeter than yours was in the world of pictures.

تا مگر همچو صبا باز به کوی تو رسم

Hoping that, like the breeze, I might reach your lane again,

حاصلم دوش به جز ناله شبگیر نبود

last night I had nothing but the lament before dawn.

آن کشیدم ز تو ای آتش هجران که چو شمع

I suffered so from you, O fire of separation, that like the candle

جز فنای خودم از دست تو تدبیر نبود

I had no remedy against you but to burn myself away.

آیتی بود عذاب انده حافظ بی تو

The torment of Hafez's grief without you was a verse

که بر هیچ کسش حاجت تفسیر نبود

that needed no commentary for anyone.