Quatrain 78 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

Analysis:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a beautiful and evocative exploration of love, beauty, and the transformative power of a beloved's presence.

Line 1: بستان رخ تو گلستان آرد بار

"Your face, a garden, will bear fruit,"
The speaker compares the beloved's face to a garden, suggesting that it is a source of beauty and abundance. The image of a garden bearing fruit implies that the beloved's beauty is fruitful and life-giving.

Line 2: وصل تو حیات جاودان آرد بار

"Your union, eternal life will bring."
Here, the speaker emphasizes the transformative power of being united with the beloved. The union is described as bringing "eternal life," suggesting a spiritual or emotional rebirth.

Line 3: بر خاک فکن قطره‌ای از آب دو لعل

"Drop a tear from your ruby lips on the dust,"
The image of a tear falling from the beloved's lips is both delicate and powerful. The "ruby lips" suggest beauty and sensuality. The tear, when dropped on the dust, symbolizes the transformative power of the beloved's emotions.

Line 4: تا بوم و بر زمانه جان آرد بار

"To give life to the earth and the age."
The final line suggests that the beloved's influence extends far beyond the immediate moment. A single tear has the power to revitalize not just the earth but also the entire age or era.

Deeper Meaning:

This quatrain is rich in symbolism and can be interpreted on multiple levels.

The power of love: The speaker is clearly captivated by the beloved and attributes extraordinary powers to them. The beloved is seen as a source of life, beauty, and renewal.
The transformative nature of beauty: The beloved's beauty is not merely superficial but has a profound effect on the world around them.
A spiritual interpretation: The image of a tear giving life to the earth could have a spiritual connotation, suggesting that the beloved is a conduit for divine grace.

This quatrain is a celebration of love and its transformative power. It suggests that the beloved is a source of inspiration and renewal, capable of bringing life and beauty to even the most barren landscapes.