Quatrain 91 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
یا همچو همای بر من افکن پر خویشتا بندگیت کنم به جان و سر خویش
گر لایق خدمتم ندانی بر خویشتا من سر خویش گیرم و کشور خویش
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"Either spread your wing like a Huma bird over me,
so that I may serve you with my heart and soul.
If you do not consider me worthy of your service,
then let me take my head and my country."
Poetic:
"Oh, spread your wings like a Huma,
a bird of grace, And I shall serve you humbly,
find my place. If you disdain my service,
hear my plea, Let me depart, and find my liberty."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi expresses a deep-seated desire for service and loyalty. The poet is essentially pleading with a beloved or a higher power to grant them the opportunity to serve. Let's break down the imagery and meaning of each line:
Line 1: The "Huma" bird is a legendary creature in Persian mythology, often associated with royalty and good fortune. By comparing the beloved to a Huma, the poet is elevating them to a divine or almost divine status.
Line 2: The poet offers their complete devotion, promising to serve with both their heart (جان) and soul (سر).
Line 3: Here, the poet acknowledges the possibility of being unworthy of the beloved's service.
Line 4: In this final line, the poet offers a stark contrast. If they are not accepted, they would prefer to take their own life and leave their homeland, rather than live without the beloved's favor.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain reveals a deep-seated yearning for connection and belonging. The poet's willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of serving their beloved highlights the intensity of their devotion. The image of the Huma bird further emphasizes the unattainable nature of their desire, making the poem all the more poignant.
Themes:
Unconditional love: The poet's love is so profound that they are willing to give up everything for it.
Submission and servitude: The poet expresses a desire to serve their beloved, placing them in a position of subservience.
Despair and longing: The final line suggests a sense of despair, as the poet contemplates a life without their beloved.