With the Persian originals and English translations by A J Arberry, legendary scholar of Sufism.
About Hafiz (from Wikipedia):
Hāfez (1325/26–1389/90), was a Persian poet. His collected works are regarded as a pinnacle of Persian literature and are to be found in the homes of most people in Iran and Afghanistan, who learn his poems by heart and use them as proverbs and sayings to this day. His life and poems have been the subject of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-fourteenth century Persian writing more than any other author.
Themes of his ghazals are the beloved, faith, and exposing hypocrisy. His influence in the lives of Farsi speakers can be found in “Hafez readings” (fāl-e hāfez, Persian: فال حافظ) and the frequent use of his poems in Persian traditional music, visual art, and Persian calligraphy. His tomb is visited often. Adaptations, imitations and translations of Hafez’ poems exist in all major languages.
Excerpt:
Comfort thee, heart – this much at least is true:
Nothing forever lasts, and this thy pain,
Even as thy joy is gone, will leave thee too;
Nothing remain
Of all this grief that is so near and new.
Though as the wayside dust to her art thou,
Cherish not envy of they rival’s state:
‘T will some day be with him as with thee now;
None to be great
More than a moment the high gods allow.
The brightest candle only shines till day
Puts out the stars and candle of the night;
Be happy, little moth; burn whilst thou may:
Her little light,
Ere thou art ashes, will have quenched its ray.
