Kings of the realm of dawn

گرچه ما بندگان پادشهیم

Though we are servants of the king,

پادشاهان ملک صبحگهیم

we are kings of the realm of dawn.

گنج در آستین و کیسه تهی

Treasure in our sleeve and an empty purse,

جام گیتی‌نما و خاک رهیم

we are the world-showing cup and the dust of the road.

هوشیار حضور و مست غرور

Awake in the Presence and drunk with pride,

بحر توحید و غرقه گنهیم

we are the sea of God's oneness and drowned in sin.

شاهد بخت چون کرشمه کند

When the beauty of fortune casts her glances,

ماش آیینه‌ رخ چو مهیم

we are her mirror, with a face like the moon.

شاه بیدار بخت را هر شب

For the king of wakeful fortune, every night

ما نگهبان افسر و کلهیم

we are the guards of his crown and cap.

گو غنیمت شمار صحبت ما

Tell him: count our company a windfall,

که تو در خواب و ما به دیده گهیم

for you are asleep, and our eyes keep watch.

شاه منصور واقف است که ما

King Mansur knows that we,

روی همت به هر کجا که نهیم

wherever we turn the face of our resolve,

دشمنان را ز خون کفن سازیم

make shrouds of blood for the enemies

دوستان را قبای فتح دهیم

and give the friends the robe of victory.

رنگ تزویر پیش ما نبود

No colour of deceit is found in us;

شیر سرخیم و افعی سیهیم

we are the red lion and the black serpent.

وام حافظ بگو که بازدهند

Tell them to repay Hafez's debt:

کرده‌ای اعتراف و ما گوهیم

you have admitted it, and we are witnesses.