Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafiz (nickname: Khwaja, or nobleman; surname: Hafiz, or the one who has memorized the Holy Quran) was born in the city of Shiraz (in the present-day province of Fars in Iran), probably in 1326 or 1327. He died there in 1389 or 1390. In his youth, the future poet received specialized training from the leading teachers and scholars of the city. A superb student, he concentrated on Quranic studies and theology, philosophy, music, the natural sciences, and poetics. Hafiz won the support of powerful characters at successive local courts in Shiraz and wrote a number of panegyrics in praise of regional rulers. In his divan, or collected poems, (spelled with a v for Persian pronunciation) are a number of allusions and references to historical figures and incidents. An acknowledged master of the intricacies of the Persian language, Hafiz produced harmonic melodies that demonstrate...