Quatrain 115 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
یاران به سماع نای و نی جامهدرانما، دیده به جایی متحیر نگران
عشق آن منست و لهو از آن دگرانمن چشم برین کنم شما گوش بر آن
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"Companions, engrossed in the music of the flute and the pipe, are turning their garments.
We, with our eyes fixed on a place, are bewildered and worried.
That love is mine, and that amusement is for others.
I will turn my eyes away, while you listen to that."
Poetic:
"Friends revel in the music's sweet refrain,
While I, in sorrow, gaze upon the plain.
My love is deep, their joy is fleeting, they,
While I, with heavy heart, turn my gaze away."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi paints a vivid picture of a heart-broken lover amidst a scene of revelry.
Contrasting Worlds: The quatrain presents a stark contrast between the joy and revelry of the "companions" and the solitary sorrow of the speaker.
Unrequited Love: The speaker's "eyes fixed on a place" and their "bewildered and worried" state suggest a deep-seated longing, likely for a love that is not reciprocated.
Emotional Distance: The speaker chooses to distance themselves emotionally from the scene of joy by "turning their eyes away." This is a classic response to heartbreak, as the lover seeks to avoid the pain of seeing others enjoy what they cannot.
The Power of Music: The music of the flute and pipe symbolizes joy and pleasure, but for the speaker, it serves as a painful reminder of their own solitude.
Themes:
Unrequited love: The central theme is the pain of unrequited love.
Isolation: The speaker feels isolated from the joy and happiness around them.
Emotional distance: The speaker chooses to create emotional distance to protect themselves from pain.
The power of music: Music is used as a symbol of both joy and sorrow.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain captures the universal experience of feeling alone amidst a crowd. The speaker's isolation is heightened by the contrast between their own sorrow and the joy of others. The image of the speaker "turning their eyes away" is a powerful symbol of the emotional detachment that often accompanies heartbreak.