Quatrain 135 from Rubaiyat of Saadi Shirazi

By hamed @hamed | 9 4

گفتم بکنم توبه ز صاحبنظریباشد که بلای عشق گردد سپری


چندانکه نگه می‌کنم ای رشک پریبار دومین از اولین خوبتری


Description:

English Translation:

Literal:

"I said I would repent from looking at beautiful faces,
hoping that the calamity of love would be averted.

But the more I look at you, O envy of the fairies,
the second glance makes you seem more beautiful than the first."

Poetic:

"I vowed to turn from beauty's tempting sight,
To shield my heart from love's consuming might.

Yet as I gaze on you, a fairy's shame,
Each glance you grow more lovely, still the same."


hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 6:45 a.m.

Analysis:

This quatrain by Saadi Shirazi explores the complexities of love and the futility of resisting its allure.

The Struggle Against Love: The speaker initially attempts to avoid the pain of love by vowing to avoid looking at beautiful people. This suggests a conscious effort to protect their heart.
The Power of Beauty: Despite their best intentions, the speaker finds themselves drawn to the beauty of the beloved. Each glance deepens their love and admiration.
The Futility of Resistance: The speaker's attempts to resist love are ultimately unsuccessful, highlighting the powerful and irresistible nature of love.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 6:46 a.m.

Themes:

The Power of Love: The central theme is the irresistible power of love and its ability to overcome even the strongest resolve.
The Conflict Between Reason and Emotion: The speaker's struggle to control their emotions and desires reflects the age-old conflict between reason and passion.
The Beauty of the Beloved: The quatrain emphasizes the extraordinary beauty of the beloved, which is so captivating that it defies all attempts to resist.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 6:46 a.m.

Deeper Meaning:

This quatrain can be interpreted as a meditation on the human condition. It suggests that love is a powerful force that can often defy our rational attempts to control it. The speaker's experience highlights the universal struggle between desire and reason, and the ultimately futile nature of trying to suppress our deepest emotions.

hamed
@hamed Oct. 6, 2024, 6:46 a.m.

This quatrain is a beautiful expression of the human heart, capturing the complexities of love and the irresistible allure of beauty.