Quatrain 37 from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam
ساقی گل و سبزه بس طربناک شدهستدریاب که هفتهٔ دگر خاک شدهست
می نوش و گلی بچین که تا درنگریگل خاک شدهست و سبزه خاشاک شدهست
Description:
A Note on this Rubai
This rubai is a classic example of Omar Khayyam's carpe diem philosophy. The poet urges the reader to seize the day and enjoy life's pleasures, as youth and beauty are fleeting.
English Translation
A more literal translation
The cupbearer, the flower, and the green grass are full of joy,
Realize that in another week, it will be dust.
Drink wine and pluck a flower, so that you may see,
That the flower has become dust and the grass has become hay.
A more poetic and interpretive translation
The wine, the rose, the spring's green sod,
Invite us to a feast with God.
But know, this pleasure soon will fade,
And leave us but a heap of shade.
A contemporary and informal translation
Wine, flowers, and sunshine, what a great day,
But remember, beauty fades away.
So let's party while we can, you see,
Cause soon we'll be six feet under a tree.
"ساقی گل و سبزه بس طربناک شدهست": This line paints a picture of a joyous scene, with wine, flowers, and green grass.
"دریاب که هفتهٔ دگر خاک شدهست": This line serves as a stark reminder of mortality and the impermanence of beauty.
"می نوش و گلی بچین که تا درنگری": This line encourages the reader to seize the moment and enjoy life's pleasures.
"گل خاک شدهست و سبزه خاشاک شدهست": This reinforces the idea of decay and the inevitability of death.
Themes and Interpretations
Carpe diem: The poem emphasizes the importance of living in the moment and enjoying life's pleasures.
The impermanence of beauty: The rubai highlights the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.
The inevitability of death: The poem serves as a reminder of mortality.
This rubai is a powerful reminder that life is short and that it is important to savor every moment. By contrasting the beauty of nature with the inevitability of death, Khayyam encourages the reader to appreciate life's fleeting pleasures.