Quatrain 105 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
هر گه که نظر بر گل رویت فکنمخواهم که چو نرگس مژه بر هم نزنم
ور بیتو میان ارغوان و سمنمبنشینم و چون بنفشه سر برنکنم
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"Whenever I cast my gaze upon the rose of your face,
I wish to be like a narcissus that never blinks.
Even if I sit among hyacinths and jasmine without you,
I will sit like a violet and not raise my head."
Poetic:
"Whene'er I gaze upon your rosy face,
I'd be a narcissus, still and in its place.
Amidst sweet flowers, lone and all alone,
I'd sit like violets, silent and unknown."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a beautiful expression of love and longing. Let's break down its meaning:
The Beauty of the Beloved: The poet compares their beloved's face to a rose, emphasizing their beauty.
The Desire to Gaze: The poet wishes to gaze upon their beloved's face continuously, just as a narcissus is said to be always gazing at its own reflection.
Longing and Solitude: Even amidst the beauty of nature, the poet feels a sense of loneliness and longing without their beloved. They compare themselves to a violet, a flower that often grows in shady places and tends to keep its head bowed.
Submission to Love: The image of the violet suggests a sense of submission to love. The poet is willing to remain unseen and unheard, as long as they can be near the object of their affection.
Themes:
Love and longing: The central theme is the poet's deep love and longing for their beloved.
Beauty of nature: The poet uses natural imagery to convey the beauty of their beloved and their own emotional state.
Solitude: The poet experiences a sense of solitude even when surrounded by beauty.
Submission to love: The poet is willing to sacrifice their own desires for the sake of love.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain captures the universal experience of love and longing. The poet's desire to be like a narcissus and a violet suggests a deep-rooted desire for connection and a willingness to sacrifice for love. It's a beautiful expression of the human heart.