Quatrain 121 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
ای دست تو آتش زده در خرمن منتو دست نمیگذاری از دامن من
این دست نگارین که به سوزن زدهایهرچند حلال نیست در گردن من
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"O your hand has set my haystack ablaze.
You do not remove your hand from my skirt.
This tattooed hand that you have pierced with a needle,
although it is not lawful for me, is still around my neck."
Poetic:
"Your hand, a flame, has set my heart alight,
Yet still you cling, refusing to take flight.
This tattooed hand, pierced by a needle's sting,
Though forbidden, still around my neck it clings."
Analysis:
This quatrain is a passionate expression of love and longing, mixed with a sense of forbidden desire and submission. Let's break down its meaning:
Metaphor of Fire: The image of the hand setting a haystack ablaze is a powerful metaphor for the intensity of the lover's passion. The beloved's touch is likened to a consuming fire.
Forbidden Love: The reference to the tattooed hand, which is "not lawful," suggests a love that is forbidden or socially unacceptable. This could be due to a class difference, a religious prohibition, or other societal constraints.
Submissiveness: Despite the pain and the forbidden nature of the love, the speaker is willing to endure it. The image of the tattooed hand around their neck symbolizes their submission to the beloved.
Themes:
Forbidden Love: The central theme is the pain and pleasure of forbidden love.
Passion: The speaker's love is intense and consuming.
Submissiveness: The speaker is willing to endure pain for the sake of their love.
Social Constraints: The love is hindered by societal norms and expectations.