Quartain 17 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
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این کهنه رباط را که عالم نام است
وآرامگه ابلق صبح و شام است
بزمیست که واماندۀ صد جمشید است
قصریست که تکیهگاه صد بهرام است
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
The rubai presented here is another rich and evocative piece from Omar Khayyam. It uses the metaphor of a caravanserai, or roadside inn, to describe the world and the cycle of life.
English Translation
A more literal translation
This ancient caravanserai, which they call the world,
Is the resting place of the dappled morning and evening.
It is a feast left over from a hundred Jamshids,
It is a palace that has been the support of a hundred Bahrams.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
This weary world, an inn where travelers stay,
Witnessed dawns and dusks of countless days.
A banquet hall, where ancient kings once feasted,
A palace grand, where heroes once were nested.
A contemporary and informal translation
This old world, a place where we all come to rest,
Seeing the sunrise and sunset as our guest.
It's been around since the days of ancient kings,
A place where stories and legends intertwine.
"این کهنه رباط را که عالم نام است": This line directly compares the world to a caravanserai, a place where travelers rest during their journeys.
"وآرامگه ابلق صبح و شام است": This line refers to the constant cycle of day and night, suggesting the world is a timeless place that has witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets.
"بزمیست که واماندۀ صد جمشید است": This line mentions Jamshid, a legendary Persian king, suggesting that the world has existed for countless generations and has seen the rise and fall of many empires.
"قصریست که تکیهگاه صد بهرام است": This line mentions Bahram, another legendary Persian king, further emphasizing the antiquity of the world.
Themes and Interpretations
The cycle of life: The image of the caravanserai highlights the cyclical nature of life, with new generations constantly replacing the old.
The transience of power: The references to ancient kings suggest that power and glory are fleeting.
The enduring nature of the universe: Despite the constant changes on Earth, the universe itself remains timeless.
This rubai is a beautiful and evocative meditation on the human condition. It invites us to consider our place in the grand scheme of things and to appreciate the beauty and mystery of the universe.