Quatrain 25 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

Analysis:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi presents a complex interplay of love, pain, and pride. The speaker is expressing their willingness to endure great pain, even to the point of death, for the sake of their love, all while maintaining a sense of dignity and secrecy. Let's break down each line:

Line 1: گر زخم خورم ز دست چون مرهم دوست

"If I am wounded by the healing hand of the beloved,"
The speaker compares the pain inflicted by their beloved to the soothing touch of a healing hand. This paradoxical image suggests that the pain itself is a source of comfort or even pleasure.

Line 2: یا مغز برآیدم چو بادام از پوست

"Or if my brain is extracted like an almond from its shell,"
This line is a hyperbolic expression of the speaker's willingness to endure pain. The image of having their brain removed suggests a complete and total sacrifice.

Line 3: غیرت نگذاردم که نالم به کسی

"My pride will not allow me to complain to anyone,"
The speaker's pride prevents them from complaining about their pain to others. This suggests a desire for privacy and a fear of being judged.

Line 4: تا خلق ندانند که منظور من اوست

"Lest people know that my beloved is the cause."
This final line reveals the true reason for the speaker's silence. They do not want others to know that their beloved is the cause of their pain, perhaps out of fear of gossip or judgment, or perhaps out of a desire to protect the beloved's reputation.

Themes explored in the quatrain:

Masochism: The speaker seems to derive pleasure or comfort from pain, especially when it is inflicted by their beloved.
Secret love: The love described is secret, and the speaker is willing to endure pain in order to keep it hidden.
Pride and dignity: Despite their suffering, the speaker maintains a sense of pride and dignity, refusing to complain to others.

This quatrain explores the complex and often contradictory nature of love. The speaker's willingness to endure extreme pain for the sake of their love, coupled with their desire for secrecy, highlights the intense and all-consuming nature of their emotions.