Hafez Poems – Eight of Our Favorites from the Divan of Hafez ( In English )

Hafez (also known as Hafiz ) is one of our favorite mystical Sufi poets …

We remember his work with eight of our favorite Hafez poems from one of his best known works of poetry — The Divan of Hafez ( translated into English by Gertrude Lowthian Bell ) [available as a FREE ebook here ] …

Hafez (Also known as Hafiz — 1316-1390) was a Persian poet, whose collected works are regarded by many Iranians as a pinnacle of Persian literature. His works are often found in the homes of people in the Persian-speaking world, who learn his poems by heart and still use them as proverbs and sayings. His life and poems have become the subjects of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-14th century Persian writing more than any other author.

Hafez primarily wrote in the literary genre of lyric poetry or ghazals, that is the ideal style for expressing the ecstasy of divine inspiration in the mystical form of love poems. He was a Sufi.  (via Wikipedia)
 
 

Poetry Books
by Hafez

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Who Has Bid Thee Ask No More
Hafez

English translation by Gertrude Lowthian Bell
Beloved, who has bid thee ask no more
How fares my life ? to play the enemy
And ask not where he dwells that was thy friend ?
Thou art the breath of mercy passing o*er
The whole wide world, and the offender I ;
Ah, let the rift my tears have channelled end,
Question the past no more !

If thou would ‘st know the secret of Love’s fire.
It shall be manifest unto thine eyes :
Question the torch flame burning steadfastly,
But ask no more the sweet wind’s wayward choir.
Ask me of faith and love that never dies ;
Darius, Alexander’s sovereignty,
I sing of these no more.

Ask not the monk to give thee Truth’s pure gold.
He hides no riches ’neath his lying guise ;
And ask not him to teach thee alchemy
Whose treasure-house is bare, his hearth-stone cold.
Ask to what goal the wandering dervish hies,
They knew not his desire who counselled thee ;
Question his rags no more !

And in their learned books thou ’lt seek in vain
The key to Love’s locked gateway ; Heart grown wise
In pain and sorrow, ask no remedy !
But when the time of roses comes again,
Take what it gives, oh Hafiz, ere it flies,
And ask not why the hour has brought it thee,
And wherefore ask no more !
 

*** What are some of your favorite Hafez poems ?

 

 

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