A more poetic and interpretive translation

We, wine, and music, in this crumbling place,
A soul, a cup, stained by wine's embrace.

Beyond hope's embrace or fear's cold hand,
Free as the wind, unbound by land or sand.

A more contemporary and informal translation

It's just us, wine, music, and this broken room,
A soul, a cup, filled with wine's bitter gloom.

No heaven, no hell, no fear, no hope,
Just us, adrift, on life's endless slope.

"مائیم و می و مطرب و این کنج خراب": This line sets the scene of a solitary, somewhat desolate existence, filled with the simple pleasures of wine and music.

"جان در و جام و جامه پر دُرد شراب": Here, the soul (جان) is intertwined with the cup (جام) and the garments stained with wine, suggesting a deep connection between the individual and these worldly pleasures.

"فارغ ز امید رحمت و بیم عذاب": This line indicates a detachment from religious beliefs and the associated hopes and fears.

"آزاد ز خاک و باد و از آتش و آب": This final line emphasizes a sense of freedom from the elements and the physical world, suggesting a more spiritual or philosophical detachment.

Themes and Interpretations

This rubai has been interpreted in various ways over the centuries. Some common themes include:

Carpe diem: The emphasis on enjoying the present moment and seeking pleasure is a classic carpe diem theme.
Skepticism: The lines about being free from hope and fear suggest a skeptical or agnostic outlook on life.
Materialism vs. spirituality: There is a tension between the material pleasures (wine, music) and the spiritual longing (the soul) in this verse.
The transience of life: The image of a ruined corner and the reference to the elements emphasize the impermanent nature of existence.