My soul melted, but it was not to be

گداخت جان که شود کار دل تمام و نشد

My soul melted away hoping the heart's affair would be fulfilled, but it was not to be;

بسوختیم در این آرزوی خام و نشد

we burned in this raw longing, but it was not to be.

به لابه گفت شبی میر مجلس تو شوم

One night she said, coaxing, "I will be the master of your gathering";

شدم به رغبت خویشش کمین غلام و نشد

I gladly became her humblest servant, but it was not to be.

پیام داد که خواهم نشست با رندان

She sent word: "I will sit with the rends";

بشد به رندی و دردی کشیم نام و نشد

I took the name of rend and drinker of dregs, but it was not to be.

رواست در بر اگر می‌تپد کبوتر دل

It is no wonder if the dove of the heart beats in the breast,

که دید در ره خود تاب و پیچ دام و نشد

for it saw the twists and coils of the snare across its road, and escape was not to be.

بدان هوس که به مستی ببوسم آن لب لعل

In the craving to kiss that ruby lip in drunkenness,

چه خون که در دلم افتاد همچو جام و نشد

how much blood fell into my heart, as into the cup, but it was not to be.

به کوی عشق منه بی دلیل راه، قدم

Do not set foot in the lane of love without a guide,

که من به خویش نمودم صد اهتمام و نشد

for I made a hundred efforts by myself, but it was not to be.

فغان که در طلب گنج نامه مقصود

Alas, in seeking the map to the treasure of my desire

شدم خراب جهانی ز غم تمام و نشد

I was ruined by a whole world of grief, but it was not to be.

دریغ و درد که در جست و جوی گنج حضور

Pity and pain, that in search of the treasure of presence

بسی شدم به گدایی بر کرام و نشد

I went so often begging at the doors of the generous, but it was not to be.

هزار حیله برانگیخت حافظ از سر فکر

Hafez devised a thousand ruses from his thinking,

در آن هوس که شود آن نگار رام و نشد

in the hope that the beloved might grow tame, but it was not to be.