Quatrain 97 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
شبهای دراز بیشتر بیدارمنزدیک سحر روی به بالین آرم
میپندارم که دیده بی دیدن دوستدر خواب رود، خیال میپندارم
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"The long nights keep me awake more.
Near dawn, I turn towards my pillow.
I imagine that my eyes, without seeing my beloved,
can sleep; I imagine it's a dream."
Poetic:
"Through endless nights, my vigil I keep,
As dawn approaches, I seek slumber deep.
I dream my eyes, deprived of your sweet sight,
Can find repose, but 'tis not truly night."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi beautifully captures the pain of unrequited love and the longing for a beloved. Let's break down the meaning of each line:
Line 1: "The long nights keep me awake more": This line suggests that the poet is unable to sleep due to their thoughts of the beloved. The nights seem endless, and the absence of the beloved is causing them great distress.
Line 2: "Near dawn, I turn towards my pillow": This line indicates that the poet eventually tries to sleep, but their efforts are futile. They turn towards their pillow, a symbol of rest and peace, but their mind is too occupied with thoughts of the beloved.
Line 3: "I imagine that my eyes, without seeing my beloved, can sleep": The poet wishes that their eyes could close and forget about the beloved, allowing them to sleep peacefully. However, they realize that this is just a wishful thought.
Line 4: "I imagine it's a dream": The final line suggests that the poet is so consumed by their longing that they start to question reality. They wonder if their feelings are just a dream, a temporary escape from the pain of unrequited love.
Themes:
Unrequited love: The central theme is the pain and suffering caused by unrequited love.
Insomnia: The inability to sleep is a common symptom of emotional distress, and it serves as a metaphor for the poet's restless heart.
Longing: The poet expresses a deep longing for their beloved.
Escapism: The poet seeks solace in dreams, hoping to find peace and forget about their pain.