Quatrain 17 from Rubaiyat of Rumi
ای باد سحر خبر بده مر ما رادر ره دیدی آن دل آتشپا را
دیدی دل پرآتش و پرسودا راکز آتش خود بسوخت صد خارا را
Description:
English Translation of the Quatrain
O morning breeze, bring us news,
Did you see that heart, fiery and fleet?
Did you see that heart, so passionate and consumed,
That burned a hundred thorns in its own fire?
Analysis of the Quatrain
The Morning Breeze as a Messenger: The poet personifies the morning breeze and asks it to deliver a message. This is a common poetic device used to convey a longing or a desire for news.
The Fiery Heart: The "heart, fiery and fleet" is a powerful metaphor for passionate love or spiritual longing. The heart is depicted as both intense and restless.
The Burning Thorns: The image of the heart burning thorns suggests a deep, consuming passion that may cause pain or suffering. This could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the purification of the soul through suffering.
A Quest for News: The poet is clearly eager for news of this "fiery heart," suggesting a deep connection or longing.
Deeper Meanings
While this is a fairly literal translation, it's important to note that Rumi's poetry often has multiple layers of meaning. This quatrain could be interpreted as:
A Lover's Longing: The poet is expressing a deep longing for a beloved, whose heart is described as both fiery and consumed by passion.
A Spiritual Journey: The "fiery heart" could symbolize the soul's journey towards divine union, which is often depicted as a burning or consuming experience.
The Power of Passion: The quatrain emphasizes the intensity of passion and its ability to both consume and transform.