Quatrain 3 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

Analysis of the Quatrain:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a beautiful exploration of love, desire, and the elusive nature of beauty. Let's break down the lines:

Line 1: ای چشم تو مست خواب و سرمست شراب

"O your eyes, drunk on sleep and wine,"
The poet addresses the beloved's eyes, comparing them to being "drunk" on sleep and wine. This creates a vivid image of alluring and captivating eyes.

Line 2: صاحب‌نظران تشنه و وصل تو سراب

"Experts are thirsty, your union a mirage."
The poet suggests that even wise and knowledgeable people are consumed by desire for the beloved, comparing their longing to thirst. The "union" with the beloved is described as a mirage, hinting at its elusive and unattainable nature.

Line 3: مانند تو آدمی در آباد و خراب

"A person like you, both in ruin and prosperity,"
This line suggests that the beloved's beauty is so captivating that it can bring both happiness and sorrow. The beloved's presence can transform even the most desolate places into a paradise, but their absence can turn the most prosperous places into ruins.

Line 4: باشد که در آیینه توان دید و در آب

"May be seen in a mirror and in water."
The poet suggests that the beloved's beauty is so profound that it can be reflected in both inanimate objects like mirrors and water. This implies a universal and timeless quality of the beloved's beauty.

Themes explored in the quatrain:

The power of beauty: The beloved's beauty is described as captivating and all-consuming.
The elusive nature of love: The "union" with the beloved is compared to a mirage, suggesting that love can often be fleeting and unattainable.
The duality of human experience: The beloved's presence can bring both joy and sorrow, highlighting the complex nature of human emotions.

In essence, this quatrain is a celebration of beauty and a meditation on the complexities of love. It captures the universal human experience of longing and desire.