Quatrain 16 from Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam
Quatrain 16 from Rubiyat of Omar Khayyam
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این کوزه که آبخوارهٔ مزدوریست
از دیدهٔ شاهی و دل دستوریست
هر کاسهٔ می که بر کف مخموریست
از عارض مستی و لب مستوریست
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
The rubai presented here is another intriguing piece from Omar Khayyam. It uses a simple object, a drinking vessel, to convey deep philosophical and metaphorical meanings.
English Translation
A more literal translation
This jug, which is the drink of a laborer,
Is from the eye of a king and the heart of an order.
Every cup of wine in a drunkard's hand,
Is from the cheek of intoxication and the lips of secrecy.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
This humble cup, once graced a royal feast,
A symbol of power, wealth and the elite.
Each goblet filled, a secret pleasure known,
A hidden joy, behind a sober tone.
A contemporary and informal translation
This jug, so plain, holds a royal past,
A symbol of power, meant to last.
Each drink, a secret, hidden from view,
A taste of luxury, old and new.
"این کوزه که آبخوارهٔ مزدوریست": This line suggests that the jug, though simple now, once served a higher purpose.
"از دیدهٔ شاهی و دل دستوریست": This line implies the jug was once a part of a royal or ceremonial setting, perhaps used in a royal court.
"هر کاسهٔ می که بر کف مخموریست": This line shifts the focus to the act of drinking and the pleasure associated with it.
"از عارض مستی و لب مستوریست": This line connects the wine to the experience of intoxication and the secrets that are often revealed under its influence.
Themes and Interpretations
The cyclical nature of life: The jug, once a symbol of royalty, now serves a common purpose, suggesting the transient nature of power and status.
The hidden depths of simplicity: The simple act of drinking can have deep symbolic and emotional significance.
The duality of human experience: The jug represents both the heights of luxury and the depths of commonality.
This rubai is a beautiful example of Khayyam's ability to find profound meaning in everyday objects. It invites us to consider the complexities of human experience and the interconnectedness of all things.