Saqi, the talk is of cypress and rose

ساقی حدیث سرو و گل و لاله می‌رود

Saqi, the talk is of the cypress, the rose and the tulip,

وین بحث با ثلاثه غساله می‌رود

and the debate goes on over the three morning cups.

می ده که نوعروس چمن حد حسن یافت

Give wine, for the meadow's young bride has reached the height of beauty;

کار این زمان ز صنعت دلاله می‌رود

now the work goes forward by the go-between's art.

شکرشکن شوند همه طوطیان هند

All the parrots of India will turn to cracking sugar

زین قند پارسی که به بنگاله می‌رود

at this Persian candy that is travelling to Bengal.

طی مکان ببین و زمان در سلوک شعر

See how place and time are folded up on poetry's journey:

کاین طفل یک شبه ره یک ساله می‌رود

this child of a single night travels a year's road.

آن چشم جادوانه عابدفریب بین

Look at that bewitching eye that beguiles the devout,

کش کاروان سحر ز دنباله می‌رود

with a caravan of magic following the tail of its line.

از ره مرو به عشوه دنیا که این عجوز

Do not leave the road for the world's coquetry, for this old crone

مکاره می‌نشیند و محتاله می‌رود

sits down as a schemer and gets up as a cheat.

باد بهار می‌وزد از گلستان شاه

The spring wind is blowing from the king's rose garden,

وز ژاله باده در قدح لاله می‌رود

and with the dew, wine flows into the tulip's cup.

حافظ ز شوق مجلس سلطان غیاث دین

Hafez, in longing for the gathering of Sultan Ghiyas al-Din,

غافل مشو که کار تو از ناله می‌رود

do not be heedless, for your work goes forward by lament.