Quatrain 127 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
ای کاش نکردمی نگاه از دیدهبر دل نزدی عشق تو راه از دیده
تقصیر ز دل بود و گناه از دیدهآه از دل و صد هزار آه از دیده
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"I wish I hadn't looked at you with my eyes.
You didn't let love enter my heart through my eyes.
The fault is with the heart, and the sin is with the eyes.
Alas for the heart, and a hundred thousand alas for the eyes."
Poetic:
"If only I had never gazed upon your face,
And spared my heart the love's consuming chase.
My heart is guilty, and my eyes have sinned,
A thousand sighs for both I must begin."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a poignant expression of regret and longing.
The Regret of Love: The speaker expresses deep regret for falling in love with the beloved. They wish they had never looked at the beloved, as this initial glance set in motion a chain of events that led to heartache.
The Heart and the Eyes: The heart is blamed for feeling love, while the eyes are blamed for initiating the love affair. This suggests a conflict between the rational mind and the emotional heart.
The Weight of Guilt: The speaker feels guilty for falling in love, as if it were a sin. The repetition of "alas" emphasizes the depth of their sorrow.
Themes:
The Pain of Love: The quatrain explores the painful consequences of love.
Conflict Between Heart and Mind: The speaker struggles with the conflict between their heart's desires and their rational mind.
Regret and Guilt: The speaker feels deep regret and guilt for falling in love.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. The speaker's lament is a reflection of the complex emotions that accompany love, including joy, pain, and regret. The repetition of "alas" emphasizes the overwhelming nature of their feelings.