Quatrain 23 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

Analysis:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi presents a profound comparison between the death of a warrior seeking martyrdom and the death of a lover who dies of heartache. Let's break down each line:

Line 1: غازی ز پی شهادت اندر تک و پوست

"The warrior seeks martyrdom in single combat,"
The first line introduces the concept of a warrior seeking death in battle, a common theme in many cultures, particularly in Islamic traditions where martyrdom is often seen as a noble pursuit.

Line 2: وان را که غم تو کشت فاضلتر ازوست

"But he who died of your sorrow is more noble,"
Here, Saadi shifts the focus to a lover who dies not on the battlefield but from the sorrow caused by their beloved. He argues that this death, caused by love, is a more noble and virtuous one than the death of a warrior seeking martyrdom.

Line 3-4: فردای قیامت این بدان کی ماند/ کان کشتهٔ دشمنست و آن کشتهٔ دوست؟

"On the Day of Judgment, who will be deemed superior?/ He who died by the enemy's hand, or he who died for love?"
The final two lines pose a profound question about the nature of heroism and the value of different kinds of death. Saadi asks which death is more noble: the death of a warrior who dies fighting for a cause, or the death of a lover who dies for love?

Themes explored in the quatrain:

Martyrdom vs. love: Saadi compares the traditional concept of martyrdom with the less tangible but equally profound concept of dying for love.
The value of suffering: The quatrain suggests that suffering for love is a noble and virtuous pursuit, and that it may even be more worthy of reward than martyrdom.
The nature of heroism: Saadi challenges traditional notions of heroism by suggesting that true heroism is not always found on the battlefield but can also be found in the heart of a lover.

This quatrain is a deep exploration of the human condition, questioning the nature of heroism, the value of suffering, and the power of love. Saadi suggests that the death of a lover, caused by heartbreak, is as noble and worthy of admiration as the death of a warrior seeking martyrdom.