From Hafez Shirazi, A Poem in New English Verse Translation
(updated May 18, 2026)
Jamsheed’s Cup
Heart was asking me for Jamsheed’s Cup for many years,
Asking strangers for what was in its own nows-and-heres!
A pearl that’s outside the seashell of this worldly place
Begged for itself from the lost-on-the-shore oceaneers!
God had been with it in all its states of consciousness,
But, not seeing Him, from afar said “O God!” in tears!
All the magic it tried were like the Samarian’s,
Not like what you would expect from Moses and his peers.
I took my problem to the Magi elder last night,
Who solved puzzles by mindfulness, not just what appears.
I found him happy and laughing, his Wine Cup in hand,
Watching himself with all its hundred mirror-like gears.
I asked: “When did He Give you this worldview Cup, O wise?”
He said: “On that day when He Fastened this blue dome’s spheres.”
He then said: “The friend who had been hanged so high to die,
Was hanged since he laid bare secrets to unhearing ears.
‘If the Holy Spirit cares to help again,’ he said,
‘All can perform what was done by Jesus or such seers.’”
I asked: “Then, what’s this row of Idols’ Hair for?” He said:
“Hafez was complaining from his longing heart for years.”
— Hafez (or Hafiz) Shirazi (14th century AD)
(Interpretation and English Verse Translation by Mohammad H. (Behrooz) Tamdgidi)
جامِ جم
سالها دلْ طلبِ جامِ جم از ما میکرد
و آنچه خود داشت ز بیگانه تمنّا میکرد
گوهری کز صدف کُوْن و مکان بیرونست
طلب از گمشدگانِ لبِ دریا میکرد
بیدلی در همه احوال خدا با او بود
او نمیدیدش و از دور خدايا میکرد
این همه شعبدﮤ خويش که میکرد اينجا
سامری پیش عصا و یَدِ بِیضا میکرد
مشکل خویش برِ پیرِ مُغان بُردم دوش
کو بِتأییدِ نَظَر حلّ معمّا میکرد
دیدمش خُرّم و خندانْ قدحِ باده بِدَست
و اندران آیِنِه صد گونه تماشا میکرد
گفتم اين جام جهانبین به تو کِی داد حکیم
گفت آن روز که این گنبد مینا میکرد
گفت آن یار کزو گشت سَرِ دار بلند
جرمش این بود که اسرار هویدا میکرد
فیض روح القدس اَر باز مدد فرماید
دیگران هم بِکُنند آنچه مسیحا میکرد
گفتمش سلسلهٔ زلف بُتان از پی چیست
گفت حافظ گلهای از دلِ شیدا میکرد
– حافظ شيرازى ( قرن هشتم هجرى)
(تعبير و ترجمه اى منظوم به زبان انگليسى از محمدحسين (بهروز) تمجيدى)
Note 2: For further information about Hafez Shirazi visit here. His name is also transliterated as Hafiz.
