Quatrain 134 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi
ای کاش که مردم آن صنم دیدندییا گفتن دلستانش بشنیدندی
تا بیدل و بیقرار گردیدندیبر گریهٔ عاشقان نخندیدندی
Description:
English Translation:
Literal:
"I wish people had seen that idol,
or heard the loving words from her.
So that they, too, would become restless and heartbroken,
and would not laugh at the lovers' tears."
Poetic:
"Oh, if they'd but seen the one I adore,
Or heard the words my heart does implore,
They'd feel the ache, the longing so deep,
And cease to mock at lovers who weep."
Analysis:
This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi expresses the deep pain of unrequited love and the speaker's desire for others to understand their suffering.
The Beloved as an Idol: The speaker refers to their beloved as an "idol," emphasizing their beauty and the intense devotion they feel.
Universal Experience of Love: The speaker wishes that others could experience the same love and heartbreak, believing that this would make them more compassionate towards lovers.
Criticism of Society: The speaker criticizes society for mocking those in love, suggesting a lack of empathy and understanding.
Themes:
Unrequited Love: The central theme is the pain of unrequited love.
Empathy and Compassion: The speaker calls for greater empathy and understanding for those who are in love.
The Universality of Love: The speaker suggests that the experience of love is universal and that everyone is capable of feeling the same pain.
Deeper Meaning:
This quatrain speaks to the human condition, highlighting the universality of love and loss. The speaker's wish for others to understand their pain is a reflection of the human desire for connection and empathy. The quatrain also serves as a critique of a society that often dismisses the intensity of romantic love.