What stir was there at dawn

به کوی میکده یا رب سحر چه مشغله بود؟

O Lord, what stir was there at dawn in the tavern lane,

که جوش شاهد و ساقی و شمع و مشعله بود

with its throng of beauties and saqi, candle and torch?

حدیث عشق که از حرف و صوت مستغنیست

The tale of love, which has no need of letters or sound,

به ناله دف و نی در خروش و ولوله بود

was in uproar and clamour with the lament of drum and reed.

مباحثی که در آن مجلس جنون می‌رفت

The questions argued in that gathering of madness

ورای مدرسه و قال و قیل مسأله بود

lay beyond the school and its wrangling over problems.

دل از کرشمه ساقی به شکر بود ولی

The heart was grateful for the saqi's glance, but

ز نامساعدی بختش اندکی گله بود

it had a small complaint about its own unfriendly fortune.

قیاس کردم و آن چشم جادوانه مست

I took its measure: that bewitching, drunken eye

هزار ساحر چون سامریش در گله بود

kept a thousand sorcerers like Samiri in its flock.

بگفتمش به لبم بوسه‌ای حوالت کن

I told her, "Assign a kiss to my lips."

به خنده گفت کی‌ات با من این معامله بود؟

She laughed and said, "Since when did you have such dealings with me?"

ز اخترم نظری سعد در ره است که دوش

A lucky glance from my star is on its way, for last night

میان ماه و رخ یار من مقابله بود

the moon and my beloved's face stood facing each other.

دهان یار که درمان درد حافظ داشت

The beloved's mouth, which held the cure for Hafez's pain,

فغان که وقت مروت چه تنگ حوصله بود

alas, when the time for kindness came, how narrow its patience was!