Quatrain 13 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
ای دل چو زمانه میکند غمناکتناگه برود ز تن روان پاکت
بر سبزه نشین و خوش بزی روزی چندزآن پیش که سبزه بر دمد از خاکت
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
The rubai presented here is another powerful example of Omar Khayyam's work. It's often interpreted as a meditation on the transience of life and the importance of enjoying the present moment.
English Translation
A more literal translation
O heart, just as time saddens you,
Suddenly your pure spirit will leave your body.
Sit on the green and live happily for a few days,
Before the green sprouts from your dust.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
Your heart, like time, is filled with sorrow's sting,
Your soul will soon take flight on angel's wing.
So sit upon the grass, enjoy the sun,
Before your life is finally done.
A contemporary and informal translation
Your heart's been broken, life's been unkind,
But don't forget, your soul will find
A peaceful place, away from all this strife,
So enjoy life, while you still have life.
"ای دل چو زمانه میکند غمناکت": This line compares the heart to time, suggesting that both can cause sadness and sorrow.
"ناگه برود ز تن روان پاکت": This line emphasizes the suddenness of death and the separation of the soul from the body.
"بر سبزه نشین و خوش بزی روزی چند": This line encourages the reader to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, such as sitting on the grass.
"زآن پیش که سبزه بر دمد از خاکت": This line is a powerful metaphor for death, suggesting that the body will eventually return to the earth and become part of nature.
Themes and Interpretations
The transience of life: The poem emphasizes the fleeting nature of human existence.
The inevitability of death: The poet reminds us that death is a natural part of life.
The importance of enjoying the present moment: The poem encourages readers to seize the day and make the most of their lives.
This rubai is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the human condition. It invites us to consider our mortality and to appreciate the beauty and fragility of life.