Quatrain 130 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
ای راهروان را گذر از کوی تو نهما بیخبر از عشق و خبر سوی تو نه
هر تشنه که از دست تو بستاند آباز دست تو سیر گردد از روی تو نه
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"O traveler's path does not pass through your alley.
We are unconscious from love and no news from you.
Every thirsty one who drinks water from your hand
His thirst will quench, but can't get enough of seeing your face."
Poetic:
"Traveler, your path doesn't lead to your door,
Nor do we know love or where you're headed for.
Though thirsty ones drink from your hand, their thirst,
For your sweet face, will never be dispersed."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi is a beautiful expression of unrequited love and longing.
The Beloved's Inaccessibility: The speaker seems to be addressing a beloved who is distant or unobtainable. The line "your path does not pass through your alley" suggests a sense of separation and inaccessibility.
Ignorance of Love: The speaker claims to be unaware of love and the beloved's direction. This could be interpreted as a way of expressing the overwhelming nature of their love or as a way of distancing themselves from the pain of unrequited love.
Unsatisfied Thirst: The image of the thirsty person drinking water but still being thirsty for the beloved's face emphasizes the insatiable nature of love.
Themes:
Unrequited Love: The central theme is the pain of unrequited love.
Longing and Desire: The speaker expresses a deep longing for the beloved.
The Inexplicable Nature of Love: The speaker seems to struggle to understand the nature of love and their own feelings.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain captures the universal experience of longing for someone who is unattainable. The speaker's words convey a sense of despair and hopelessness, yet also a deep-seated love and admiration for the beloved. The image of the thirsty person who can never be satisfied highlights the consuming nature of love and the impossibility of fully quenching the thirst for a beloved.