Category Archives: translations from divan-e-hafez

when god made your form of heart-opening eyebrows, he tied the start of my affair to your eye-glancing. he stole quiet from both heart and longing bird, when he veiled both you and flower with covering. many the knot was … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

the ancient fatwa of the magian elder says that wine is forbidden where there is no friend. i will rip up this coat of hypocrisy- what to do? rude company is torture to the spirit. o that her lips might … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

I see the light of god in the Magian tavern. Look, this is strange! I see what light from where? Don’t sell me your pomp, king of the Haj- you See a house of stone, and I see the house … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

All my life each day I’ve been walking in search and each moment made entreaty of reputation. Without the waxing light of my love, how to pass the days? I set a snare on the path, and place a bird … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

Last night, I saw angels knock on the wineshop door- the clay of Adam had been mixed, and cast into a cup. Those who dwell in the chaste and veiled heavens drank strong wine with me, a wayside beggar: “Heaven … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

our devotion and the friend’s royal threshold- what crosses over our head is his inclination! ‘though mirrors of sun and moon were placed by his face, i have not seen equal to the friend’s likeness. dawn breeze, what news do … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

o friends, the time of the rose is for our delight. this is the word of those with heart: listen to love! no one is generous, and the time for joy is now. our remedy is to sell the prayer … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

may your body never need the doctor’s care,may your delicate form avoid all calamity. the well being of all directions resides in you-may no accident befall any part of you! when autumn arrives to plunder the orchard,may he not find … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

don’t fill my heart with arrows from your glancing eye, because under your languishing look i’ll die! since beauty’s account is within the ledger of perfection, grant me alms- i am so poor and indigent! fill the glass, for amidst … Continue reading →

Print Friendly

If your musk scented curls committed a sin- it’s gone; and if your Hindu mole has wrought havoc- it’s gone! If the flash of love should burn those dressed in wool- burnt; and if the shah’s cruelty has ruined a … Continue reading →

Print Friendly