Category Archives: translations from divan-e-hafez

i am he whose table at the wine-house is the khaneqah,and prayer for the magian elder is my dawn rosary. if morning does not bring the harp’s melody- so what,my dawn’s music is my sighing petition of thanks! i am … Continue reading →

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This morning, when he journeyed to the wine-shop the aref was purified by the bright water of wine. As soon as the sun’s golden bowl sinks from view, the moon’s crescent points to the time of cup sharing. Beautiful the … Continue reading →

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for god’s sake, sit less with those wrapped in robes- don’t hide your face from the unadorned rend! in this cloak there is a great defilement, but joyous is the wine-seller’s appearance! you are slender of form and without strength … Continue reading →

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welcome, bird of fortunate strength and happy message,happy arrival! what news of the friend- where is he? o lord, may your timeless grace guide our caravanby which the enemy and mistress are well engaged! all between me and my beloved … Continue reading →

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o sweet breeze of dawn- where is the friend’s resting place?where is the house of that murderous and vagrant moon? the night is dark and the valley of freedom lies ahead-but where the light of sinai, and the place of … Continue reading →

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he who protects the land of the people of faith-god protect him in all ways from calamity. if you wish that the beloved not break his word,hold your end of the thread, that he hold his. about the friend’s pain- … Continue reading →

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In the beginning, the light of your beauty breathed into being- And love appeared, illuminating the whole world. Your face appeared, and the angels saw they had no love- They became fire out of this envy, and gave love to … Continue reading →

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o you by whose bright face the tulip bed grows green- return! because without your rosy cheek, the spring of life is gone. if tears fall from the eye like rain- so be it! because life, in grief for you, … Continue reading →

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we don’t speak badly, and incline not toward falsity. we don’t call robe black, nor dye our own cloak blue. we don’t inscribe bad letters in the book of learning. we don’t join truth’s secrets to pages of lies. the … Continue reading →

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we will lift our hands one night in prayer, and find a remedy for the grief we suffer apart from you. our heart has slipped from our hands- friends, help! bring the doctor with healing herb to make it well. … Continue reading →

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