Rubaei 33 By Hafez Shirazi

By hamed @hamed | 6 2

ای شَرم‌زده غنچه‌ی مَستور از توحیران و خِجِل، نرگسِ مَخمور از تو


گُل با تو برابری کجا یارَد کرد؟کـ‌او نور زِ مَه دارد و مَه نور از تو!


Description:

Literal Translation:

O shy bud hidden from you,
Confused and shy, the drowsy narcissus from you.
How can a flower compare with you, my love?
For it has light from the moon, and the moon has light from you!

Poetic and Interpretive Translation:

O bashful bud, concealed by your beauty's grace,
The narcissus, dazed, hides its face.
A flower cannot match your radiant light,
For its glow comes from the moon, and the moon from your sight.


hamed
@hamed Aug. 12, 2024, 5:16 p.m.

Analysis

This rubai by Hafez is a beautiful expression of love and admiration, comparing the beloved to nature's most exquisite creations.

The Beloved as a Natural Wonder: The beloved is compared to a shy bud and a drowsy narcissus, both symbols of beauty and fragility.
The Power of the Beloved's Beauty: The poet suggests that the beloved's beauty is so overwhelming that even the moon, a celestial body often used as a symbol of beauty, derives its light from them.
The Inaccessibility of the Beloved: The imagery of the "hidden bud" and the "drowsy narcissus" suggests a sense of inaccessibility. The beloved is so beautiful and perfect that they are almost otherworldly.

hamed
@hamed Aug. 12, 2024, 5:16 p.m.

Interpretation

A Divine Love: The idea that the moon derives its light from the beloved suggests a divine or spiritual dimension to the love being described. The beloved is seen as a source of illumination and inspiration.
The Beauty of Nature: The comparisons to nature's beauty underscore the poet's appreciation for the natural world and his belief that the beloved is even more beautiful than the most exquisite flower.
The Power of Love: The rubai ultimately celebrates the transformative power of love. The beloved is portrayed as a force of nature, capable of inspiring awe and wonder.

In essence, this rubai is a love poem that elevates the beloved to the status of a deity. The poet's admiration is so profound that he sees the beloved as the source of all beauty and light.