Quatrain 81 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
تا سر نکنم در سرت ای مایهٔ نازکوته نکنم ز دامنت دست نیاز
هرچند که راهم به تو دورست و درازدر راه بمیرم و نگردم ز تو باز
Description:
English Translation:
Till I lay my head upon your lap, O my darling, so coy,
I'll not shorten my needy hand from your skirt.
Though the path to you is long and far,
I'll die on the way and never turn back from you.
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a passionate declaration of love and devotion. Let's break down each line:
Line 1: تا سر نکنم در سرت ای مایهٔ ناز
"Till I lay my head upon your lap, O my darling, so coy,"
The speaker expresses a deep yearning to be close to the beloved. The image of resting one's head on the beloved's lap conveys intimacy and dependence.
Line 2: کوته نکنم ز دامنت دست نیاز
"I'll not shorten my needy hand from your skirt."
This line emphasizes the speaker's need for the beloved. The image of a hand reaching out suggests a constant longing for connection.
Line 3: هرچند که راهم به تو دورست و دراز
"Though the path to you is long and far,"
The speaker acknowledges the distance between them, both physically and emotionally. However, this distance does not deter their pursuit of the beloved.
Line 4: در راه بمیرم و نگردم ز تو باز
"I'll die on the way and never turn back from you."
This final line is a powerful assertion of the speaker's unwavering devotion. The speaker is willing to face any obstacle, even death, to be with the beloved.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain is a beautiful expression of romantic love and the lengths to which one might go for the sake of love. Key themes include:
Devotion: The speaker is deeply devoted to the beloved.
Longing: There is a strong sense of longing and yearning for the beloved.
Determination: The speaker is determined to overcome any obstacles to be with the beloved.
Sacrifice: The speaker is willing to sacrifice everything for love.