Basho
A strange flower
for birds and butterflies
the autumn sky
Glorious the moon . . .
therefore our thanks
dark clouds
Come to rest our necks
The first day of the year:
thoughts come – and there is loneliness;
the autumn dusk is here.
None is travelling
Here along this way but I,
This autumn evening.
Dewdrop, let me cleanse
in your brief
sweet waters . . .
These dark hands of life
In the twilight rain
these brilliant-hued
hibiscus . . .
A lovely sunset
Fever-felled half-way,
my dreams arose
To march again . . .
Into a hollow land
Translation:
Wholesome is the ambergris-scented, fragrant breeze
that arose, longing for you at dawn
O bird of good omen, be my guide
My eye melted in yearning for the dust of that door
To recall my ailing body, drowned in my heart’s blood
look at the crescent moon in the evening twilight
It is I who breathe without you. What a shame!
Unless you forgive me, I have no excuse for my sin
The way of love, the dawn learned from your lovers
to tear its black garment at daybreak
When I am gone from this world with the love of your face
Instead of grass, the red rose will bloom from my dust
Do not allow your sensitive heart to be hurt by me
For your Hafez has just said “Bismillāh.”
Original:
خنک نسیم معنبر شمامه‌ای دلخواه که در هوای تو برخاست بامداد پگاه
دلیل راه شو ای طایر خجسته لقا که دیده آب شد از شوق خاک آن درگاه
به یاد شخص نزارم که غرق خون دل است هلال را ز کنار افق کنید نگاه
منم که بی تو نفس می‌کشم زهی خجلت مگر تو عفو کنی ور نه چیست عذر گناه
ز دوستان تو آموخت در طریقت مهر سپیده دم که صبا چاک زد شعار سیاه
به عشق روی تو روزی که از جهان بروم ز تربتم بدمد سرخ گل به جای گیاه
مده به خاطر نازک ملالت از من زود که حافظ تو خود این لحظه گفت بسم الله
Translation:
O Saqi, brighten my cup with the light of wine
Musician, sing, for the world is now as I wish
…
The sky’s green sea and the crescent moon’s cup
have been filled with the blessings of our Hajji Qavām
Original:
ساقی! به نور باده برافروز جام ما مطرب، بگو که کار جهان شد به کام ما
…
دریای اَخضَر فَلَک و کشتی هِلال هستند غرقِ نعمتِ حاجی قوام ما
