Quatrain 54 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

By hamed @hamed | 6 7

گفتم شب وصل و روز تعطیل آمدکان شوخ دوان دوان به تعجیل آمد


گفتم که نمی‌نهی رخی بر رخ منگفتا برو ابلهی مکن پیل آمد


Description:

English Translation:

I said, "The night of union and the day of leisure have arrived,"
"That playful one has come running in haste."

I said, "Won't you turn your face towards me?"
He said, "Go away, you fool, don't be foolish, an elephant has arrived."


hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:18 p.m.

Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a playful and somewhat enigmatic exploration of love, desire, and disappointment. Let's break down the lines:

hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:19 p.m.

Line 1: گفتم شب وصل و روز تعطیل آمد

"I said, 'The night of union and the day of leisure have arrived,'"
The speaker is expressing anticipation for a romantic encounter. The "night of union" and "day of leisure" suggest a time of intimacy and relaxation.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:19 p.m.

Line 2: کان شوخ دوان دوان به تعجیل آمد

"That playful one has come running in haste."
The speaker is excited about the arrival of their beloved, whom they describe as "playful".

hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:19 p.m.

Line 3: گفتم که نمی‌نهی رخی بر رخ من

"I said, 'Won't you turn your face towards me?'"
The speaker is asking for the beloved's attention, hoping for a romantic encounter.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:20 p.m.

Line 4: گفتا برو ابلهی مکن پیل آمد

"He said, 'Go away, you fool, don't be foolish, an elephant has arrived.'"
The beloved's response is unexpected and seemingly dismissive. The image of an elephant is used metaphorically, possibly to suggest a powerful or overwhelming force that has distracted their attention.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:20 p.m.

Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain can be interpreted in several ways:

Unfulfilled desire: The speaker's hopes for a romantic encounter are dashed, leaving them feeling foolish.
A metaphor for life's distractions: The elephant could symbolize the many distractions and challenges that life throws our way, preventing us from achieving our desires.
A playful tease: The beloved's response could be a playful tease, meant to heighten the speaker's desire.

hamed
@hamed Sept. 25, 2024, 7:20 p.m.

This quatrain is a short, evocative exploration of the complexities of love and desire. The unexpected twist at the end leaves the reader pondering the true meaning of the beloved's words and the nature of their relationship.