The ascetic went to the tavern

زاهد خلوت‌نشین، دوش به میخانه شد

The ascetic who sat in seclusion went to the tavern last night;

از سر پیمان برفت، با سر پیمانه شد

he went back on his pledge and took up the goblet.

صوفی مجلس که دی، جام و قدح می‌شکست

The Sufi of the gathering, who yesterday broke the cups and goblets,

باز به یک جرعه می، عاقل و فرزانه شد

with one sip of wine became wise and sensible again.

شاهد عهد شباب، آمده بودش به خواب

The beauty of his youth had come to him in a dream;

باز به پیرانه‌سر‌، عاشق و دیوانه شد

in his old age he became a lover and a madman again.

مغ‌بچه‌ای می‌گذشت، راهزن دین و دل

A Magian boy was passing, a thief of faith and heart;

در پی آن آشنا، از همه بیگانه شد

following that familiar one, he became a stranger to everyone.

آتش رخسار گل، خرمن بلبل بسوخت

The fire of the rose's face burned the nightingale's harvest;

چهره خندان شمع، آفت پروانه شد

the laughing face of the candle became the ruin of the moth.

گریه شام و سحر، شکر که ضایع نگشت

Thanks be that the weeping of evening and dawn was not wasted:

قطره باران ما، گوهر یک‌دانه شد

our raindrop became a peerless pearl.

نرگس ساقی بخواند، آیت افسون‌گری

The saqi's narcissus eye recited a verse of enchantment;

حلقه اوراد ما، مجلس افسانه شد

our circle of litanies became a gathering of tales.

منزل حافظ کنون، بارگه پادشاست

The lodging of Hafez is now the court of the king;

دل بر دل‌دار رفت، جان بر جانانه شد

the heart has gone to the heart's beloved, the soul to the soul's dearest.