That friend who made our house a fairy's home

آن یار کز او خانه ما جای پری بود

That friend through whom our house was a fairy's dwelling

سر تا قدمش چون پری از عیب بری بود

was, from head to foot, like a fairy, free of every flaw.

دل گفت فروکش کنم این شهر به بویش

My heart said, "For her scent I will settle in this city";

بیچاره ندانست که یارش سفری بود

the poor thing did not know its friend was a traveller.

تنها نه ز راز دل من پرده برافتاد

It is not only from my heart's secret that the veil has fallen:

تا بود فلک، شیوه او پرده‌دری بود

for as long as heaven has turned, its way has been to tear veils.

منظور خردمند من آن ماه که او را

The one my wisdom chose was that moon

با حسن ادب شیوه صاحب‌نظری بود

who joined to beauty and courtesy the ways of a true seer.

از چنگ منش اختر بدمهر به در برد

My unkind star snatched her from my grasp;

آری چه کنم؟ دولت دور قمری بود

yes, what can I do? It was a fortune of the moon's short cycle.

عذری بنه ای دل، که تو درویشی و او را

Make some allowance, heart, for you are a dervish, and she

در مملکت حسن سر تاجوری بود

in the kingdom of beauty was born to wear a crown.

اوقات خوش آن بود که با دوست به سر رفت

The happy times were those spent with the friend;

باقی همه بی‌حاصلی و بی‌خبری بود

all the rest was fruitless and unaware.

خوش بود لب آب و گل و سبزه و نسرین

Sweet were the riverbank and the rose, the green grass and the eglantine;

افسوس که آن گنج روان رهگذری بود

alas, that flowing treasure was only passing by.

خود را بکش ای بلبل از این رشک که گل را

Kill yourself with jealousy, nightingale, for the rose

با باد صبا وقت سحر جلوه‌گری بود

was showing off its beauty to the morning breeze at dawn.

هر گنج سعادت که خدا داد به حافظ

Every treasure of happiness that God gave to Hafez

از یمن دعای شب و ورد سحری بود

came from the blessing of night prayer and the dawn litany.