Ghazal 457: I have made a thousand efforts that you might be my friend
هزار جهد بکردم که یار من باشی
مرادبخش دل بیقرار من باشی
چراغ دیدهٔ شبزندهدار من گردی
انیس خاطر امیدوار من باشی
چو خسروان ملاحت، به بندگان نازند
تو در میانه، خداوندگار من باشی
از آن عقیق که خونیندلم ز عشوهٔ او
اگر کنم گلهای غمگسار من باشی
در آن چمن که بتان، دست عاشقان گیرند
گرت ز دست برآید، نگار من باشی
شبی به کلبهٔ احزان عاشقان آیی
دمی انیس دل سوگوار من باشی
شود غزالهٔ خورشید، صید لاغر من
گر آهویی چو تو یک دم، شکار من باشی
سه بوسه کز دو لبت، کردهای وظیفهٔ من
اگر ادا نکنی، قرضدار من باشی
من این مراد ببینم به خود که نیمشبی
به جای اشک روان، در کنار من باشی
من ار چه حافظ شهرم، جویی نمیارزم
مگر تو از کرم خویش، یار من باشی
I have made a thousand efforts that you might be my friend,
that you might grant the wish of my restless heart.
That you might become the lamp of my eye that keeps the night awake,
and the companion of my hopeful mind.
When the kings of grace are proud towards their slaves,
that among them all you might be my lord.
Of that carnelian lip whose coquetry has made my heart bleed,
if I complain, that you might be the one to console me.
In that meadow where the idols take lovers by the hand,
if it lies within your power, that you might be my beloved.
That one night you might come to the hut of lovers' sorrows,
and for a moment be the companion of my mourning heart.
The gazelle of the sun would be a lean prey for me,
if a deer like you were, for one moment, my quarry.
The three kisses you have assigned to me from your two lips:
if you do not pay them, you will remain in my debt.
May I see this wish come true for myself: that one midnight,
in place of flowing tears, you will be at my side.
Though I am the Hafez of the city, I am not worth a barleycorn,
unless you, out of your own generosity, will be my friend.
Interpretation of the fal
You have worked hard to win someone's friendship and company, and you are still hopeful. Ask them to keep the promise they made. Your wish is simple: that they should be beside you on lonely nights. Stay humble: your worth in their eyes depends on their own kindness. This effort will not go unanswered.