October 09, 2004

Some Hafez to close the day...

Shamseddin Mohammad Hafez Shirazi was born in Shiraz between 1317 and 1326.

"Little is known about Hafez's life; however, through his poetry we can deduce that he was married and had lost both his wife and a son. He lived during the reign of Abu Eshaq Inju (1343 - 53), Mobarez-od-Din (1353 - 58), and Shah Shoja the Mozaffarid (1358 - 85). There are few if any facts regarding Hafez's relations with the rulers of his time. Abu Eshaq and Shah Shoja were cultured rulers with a love for literature, but Mobarez-od-Din was a bigoted ascetic responsible for many executions under the guise of religion. He is often indirectly referred to by Hafez as mohtaseb the much-hated censor who indulged in controlling not only the business in the bazaars, but also the morals of the people:"

"Though wine incites to jocund mirth, and winds through flowers are sighing,
While drinking, let the harp be mute; the mohtaseb is prying.
If e'er thy genial lot bestow a mate and flagon cheery,
With prudence to the goblet turn; the days of life are dreary."

Unfortunately the English translations of Persian poetry never do the original work justice, but nonetheless, they do capture an admirable portion of the meanings and emotions expressed by these great ones.

Of course you could always learn Farsi!

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