Quatrain 9 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
شبها گذرد که دیده نتوانم بستمردم همه از خواب و من از فکر تو مست
باشد که به دست خویش خونم ریزیتا جان بدهم دامن مقصود به دست
Description:
English Translation:
Nights pass, but I cannot close my eyes.
All people are asleep, but I am intoxicated by thoughts of you.
Perhaps you will pour out my blood with your own hand,
So that I may give my life in your service.
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi expresses deep and consuming love, to the point of obsession. Let's break down each line:
Line 1: شبها گذرد که دیده نتوانم بست
"Nights pass, but I cannot close my eyes."
The speaker is unable to sleep because their thoughts are constantly occupied by the beloved.
Line 2: مردم همه از خواب و من از فکر تو مست
"All people are asleep, but I am intoxicated by thoughts of you."
While the world is at rest, the speaker is consumed by an intoxicating love for the beloved.
Line 3: باشد که به دست خویش خونم ریزی
"Perhaps you will pour out my blood with your own hand."
This line expresses a masochistic desire for the beloved's attention, even if it means suffering harm.
Line 4: تا جان بدهم دامن مقصود به دست
"So that I may give my life in your service."
The speaker is willing to sacrifice everything, even their life, for the sake of their love.
Themes explored in the quatrain:
Consuming love: The love expressed is so intense that it consumes the speaker's thoughts and prevents them from sleeping.
Masochism: The speaker seems to derive pleasure from the idea of suffering for their beloved.
Self-sacrifice: The speaker is willing to sacrifice their life for the sake of their love.