Quatrain 56 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

Analysis:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a classic expression of love and longing. Let’s break down the lines:

Line 1: در چشم من آمد آن سهی سرو بلند

"Into my eyes came that slender cypress of beauty,"
The speaker is describing a beautiful person, comparing their stature and grace to a tall cypress tree. Their beauty has captured the speaker's attention.

Line 2: بربود دلم ز دست و در پای افکند

"Snatching my heart from my hand and casting it at their feet."
The speaker's heart has been stolen by this beautiful person. The image of the heart being "cast at their feet" emphasizes the speaker's complete surrender to love.

Line 3: این دیدهٔ شوخ می‌برد دل به کمند

"This playful eye takes hearts captive in its snare,"
Here, the speaker personifies the beloved's eyes, suggesting that they have a powerful and irresistible charm. The image of a snare implies that the beloved is intentionally capturing hearts.

Line 4: خواهی که به کس دل ندهی دیده ببند

"If you wish to give your heart to no one, close your eyes."
This line is a piece of advice. The speaker is suggesting that if one wants to protect their heart from being captured, they should avoid looking at the beloved.

Deeper Meaning:

This quatrain explores themes of:

The power of beauty: The beloved's beauty is so captivating that it can steal someone's heart.
The inevitability of love: The speaker seems resigned to the fact that they have fallen in love, despite the potential pain it may bring.
The vulnerability of the heart: The heart is seen as something fragile that can easily be broken.

This quatrain is a beautiful expression of the power of love. It captures the feeling of being completely captivated by someone's beauty and the vulnerability that comes with falling in love.